April 2003
Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld
GOOD FRIDAY
The Darkness of God
On Good Friday Christians celebrate the death of Jesus. The night before, on Maundy Thursday, Jesus is betrayed, more accurately "handed over", to the powers of darkness. Jesus is handed over to the Jewish religious authorities who try him and then hand him over to the Roman authorities, who alone have the power to execute him. Notice how Jesus is "handed over" from one group of people to another. Finally Jesus is nailed to the Cross where he hangs and dies alone, surrounded by darkness.
Darkness is a prominent theme in the Passion Story. The light and warmth of the Upper Room where the Last Supper is shared by Jesus and his disciples gives way to the darkness of the night outside, where the sole light is the full Paschal Moon. When St John describes the night of Jesus' betrayal, as Jesus recognizes Judas as the betrayer and dismisses him, sending him on his way to prepare for his terrible act, the final phrase of that scene is "and it was night." (Jn.13.30).
St John is talking about the surrounding darkness, but his principal subject here is not the dark evening sky (comparing it to the bright sun of day), he is referring to the darkness of mankind's sinfulness and the dark, terrible acts which are about to be perpetrated against Jesus.
The Church has often described people who are aware of the absence of God as being "in darkness". One of the great books on Christian suffering in the absence of God is "The Dark Night of the Soul" by St John of the Cross. St John's theme of darkness is usually linked to the utter desolation experienced by the human soul being cut off from God - from the "light of God". We might think of Jesus being in utter darkness on the Cross as he is surrounded by human evil and the physical absence of normal sunlight.
There is another way at looking at this darkness. At a recent Study Day in Wells, Canon Melvyn Matthews spoke of the darkness hiding the light of God, who was very close to the Christian believer. Instead of being alienated and distanced from God, the person who experiences the "darkness of the soul" is in fact so close to God that the blinding light of God's presence results in an experience of darkness.
I am reminded here of St Paul's experience at his conversion. Remember that he was blinded by the presence of the Risen Christ. In his darkness, others had to lead him by the hand. It is only later, when baptized by Ananias, that Paul could experience the light once again (Acts 9. 1-19).
It is sometimes said, and I think it is important to say, that Good Friday and Easter Day are very close. I would argue that St John the Evangelist sees Jesus' death and resurrection as one event which he calls "The Hour" in which Jesus is exalted and God is glorified. The darkness experienced by Jesus can be understood to hide the presence of God, who is very close.
As we come to celebrate the light and joy of Easter Day this year, let us think about Canon Matthew's words telling us that even though we may sometimes be surrounded by darkness, the God whom we love and who loves us is very close. Good Friday gives way to Easter Day - the darkness is changed into light by the love of our ever-present God.
Hugh Bonsey
LENT, HOLY WEEK & EASTER SERVICES
MAUNDY THURSDAY : APRIL 17th 7.30pm Sung Eucharist and Vigil at St John's Church, Peasedown St John
GOOD FRIDAY : APRIL 18th 2.00pm - 3.00pm Devotional Hour at the Foot of the Cross at St John's Church, Peasedown St John
2.30pm onwards Special Children's Service for Good Friday at St Julian's Church, Wellow
EASTER DAY : APRIL 20th 11.15am Family Eucharist to celebrate the most important day in the Christian Year. All are welcome to celebrate the presence of the Risen Lord among us!
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETINGS: WEDNESDAY APRIL 30th Two important Church Meetings take place in St Julian's on April 30th at 7.30pm. They are the Meeting of the Parishioners and the Annual Parochial Church Meeting. Please come and join us to hear about the Church's business over the last year and our hopes for the future. Your contribution to discussion will be most welcome.
For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE
For details of Church Services in Peasedown St. John CLICK HERE
CHURCH NEWS Three dates for your diary: we hope to hold a Safari Supper on Saturday the 6th September, first and main courses in people's homes and then all meet at the Village Hall for the sweet course and coffee, drinks and raffle, the cost will be ten pounds for the three courses to include wine.
If anyone would like to be a hostess for the first or main course for six to eight people could you get in touch with Joyce or Jonathan the Churchwardens . We are also going to have a Harvest Supper in the village hall after the service on September 28th as this proved very popular last year. We did it for a charity last year but the money raised this year will go to church funds as we have our quinquennial inspection this year which is way behind schedule and lots of work will have to be done to keep St. Julian's going, hence we will need all the money we can get.
The third date is the Christmas Bazaar again in the Village Hall on November 15th just to give you plenty of time to make things for this.
Back to immediate events: Easter Sunday is on April 20th when we hope lots of people will attend the morning service and just to say if anyone would like to donate towards the Easter flowers in memory of a loved one could they let Clover Holland or me Joyce Mannings have the money the week prior to Easter with the name or names they wish to go on the memorial list in the Hungerford Chapel.
Our PCC AGM will take place in St. Julian's on Wednesday 30th April at 7.30pm We do hope lots of you will attend to see how the church is administered.
Just one more item: we have had a letter asking us to support the Ammerdown development appeal fund. They need £1.5 million pounds and are halfway there, if someone feels strongly enough to support his appeal maybe they could hold an event for it, we also have some legacy forms if any-one would like. But we feel we must concentrate on our own church at this time. But any help would be greatly appreciated.
Churchwardens
THE EASTER STORY AN UNUSUAL TELLING OF THE EASTER STORY FOR CHILDREN AND YOUNG FAMILIES
Good Friday 18th April In St. Julian's Church
The actual event starts at 4.00pm and will last for about 30 minutes, however preparations will begin from 2.30 when we will be creating an Easter garden making models and painting eggs! There will be a break at 3.30 for something to eat and drink.
The format will follow our Christmas celebrations so be prepared for lots of noise and activity. If you want to know more please contact
Louise 834673
THE QUIET GARDEN AT ST. JULIAN'S WELL (affiliated to the Quiet Garden trust) we are happy to be opening the garden again this year for the first Thursday in every month from 3rd April till 2rd October, 10.30 - 3.30pm.. We welcome anyone of whatever faith or indeed no faith at all who would like a time of peace and reflection. In the past people in wheelchairs, several new babies and exhausted social workers have been among our guests. As usual the days will be led by people from different denominations from different parts of the country focussing of various aspects of spirituality and meditation. If you would like to know more there are leaflets in the church and information on the Wellow website or ring 833506.
Colin Tremellen
EXPLORING SPIRITUALITY
Taster Day Saturday 3 rd May 2 10am-4pm
This course for clergy and laity is extremely popular. Students discover new ways of developing their spiritual life. They discover the importance of listening to others, look at ways of helping others on their spiritual journey and grow in self awareness of where they are on that journey. The course explores different traditions of spirituality and approaches to prayer and encourages an openness which assists spiritual growth. It is open to members of any Christian denomination. It begins in the autumn.
Cost: The Taster Day is Free
The Course fees are £150.00 per term (3 terms includes two residential weekends)
Length: one year
For Information:- Jennifer Cole, Diocesan Office e-mail jennifer.cole@bathwells.anglican.org
CHRISTIANA MARIE SMALL It was with great sadness we learnt of the death of Marie - as we knew her - on the 16th February.
Marie with her husband Roger farmed at Baggeridge Farm for many years and brought up their four children Heather, Ruth, Martyn and Stuart there. Roger died some years ago, and Marie latterly lived at Stoney Littleton Manor. Both Marie and her husband did a lot of fund raising within the village and both the Collins Hall, and the present village hall benefited from dances, whist drive, coffee evenings, and numerous skittle evenings when their barn was converted to a skittle alley. Marie was a devoted member of St. Julian's Church attending most Sundays, and was a member of the Mother's Union when it existed.
She was a founder member of the Wellow Women's Institute where her cooking skills were often called upon as was her gift for flower arranging. She also contributed to the fine needlework on the WI cloth made for the coronation of our present Queen Elizabeth.
A lady of many talents Marie will be greatly missed by the village and her family, our thoughts and prayers are with them all at this time. The church was full which showed the deep respect in which Marie was held.
Joyce Mannings
WELLOW PARISH COUNCIL held a meeting on Monday 17th March at 8pm in the Village Hall.
Wellow Parish Council has adopted the Parish Council Model Scheme re the Freedom of Information Act 2000. Details of the information and how to obtain them are available from the clerk.
The revised timetable for the Mobile Library on Tuesdays Fortnightly gives the stop at Village Hall to be at 1.45 to 2.10 and at Manor Close at 2.15 to 2.35
Planning application 03/00386/FUL, by Mr R Twose of 2 Tower View for a single storey extension was discussed. it was decided to oppose the application as the meeting considered a flat roof not appropriate in Wellow.
Joyce Morphew, clerk 833947
LUNCH CLUB The lunch will be on Thursday 17th April, the day before Good Friday, at 1pm in Village Hall. Hope to see you there.
Janet Earp and Marian Osborne 832561
From the Past 23rd September 1893 Running water had just been connected to the school but all was not well. The Rev Horton Starkie suffered some unfair criticism at the hands of the Bath Rural District Sanitary Authority and he replies:-
Sirs,
My attention has been called to your...... report where a certain Mr. Smart, whoever he may be, made some decidedly personal remarks concerning myself. These remarks I entirely disdain and treat with the greatest contempt, ...............but as the remarks..... relate to Wellow School the public might be falsely led to imagine that these building were neglected, and that the managers, of which I am only one, do not do their duty. It is perfectly true that the water has not been laid on as yet to the old school closets, although the new school closets have been provided with water for some time. It is perfectly true also that I gave an understanding..........that the work should be done during the school holidays. ..........., and we employed Mr. Seward, contractor, of Frome, to do it by a certain date, by which date all would have been completed had Messrs. Doulton fulfilled their part of the contract by forwarding the necessary apparatus, pans, etc. These Mr. Seward up to this time had been unable to obtain. If Mr. Smart and the Inspector had chosen to visit Wellow on Saturday evening, September 9th, they would have found a flushing cistern in full working order........ in the schoolmasters water closet, that the walls of the old school closets had been raised, a new roof put on,.... and that Mr Seward had to withdraw his men without completing the work at great inconvenience and expense to himself, simply and only because the necessary apparatus could not be obtained from the makers. It will thus be seen that neither the managers, the architect, nor Mr Seward are responsible for the delay........ I may add that I think it would be wise if Mr Smart made more certain of his facts previous to airing himself before the public, and if he wished to make a personal attack.... it would be well for him to do so in a purely personal manner, and not in one where several other gentlemen, the managers of the school, are concerned.
Gordon Hewlett
WINNERS OF THE WELLOW VILLAGE HALL 150 CLUB PRIZE DRAW FOR FEBRUARY AND MARCH 2003
1st £32.00 Mr. R. Twose No. 107
2nd £13.00 Mr. Bill Wilcox No. 107
3rd £7.00 Mrs E. Rose No 139.
4th £5.00 Mrs. D. Cook No. 133
FEBRUARY 2003
1st £32.00 Mr. B. Hasell No. 128.
2nd £13.00 Mrs. L. Bodman No. 80
3rd £7.00 Mrs P. Doman No 98.
4th £5.00 Mr. W. Moore No. 60.
Thank you for your support B Messer Chairman
WELLOW & DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY
Visit to Abbey House Gardens, Malmesbury, Thursday April 24th to see the famous tulips and beautiful gardens set in 5 acres of grounds. Entrance will be £4 with the cost of the coach and guided tour being an additional £10. The Society is subsidising this trip making it an affordable, worthwhile and very pleasant afternoon. We hope to leave Wellow at 11.30am to stop for lunch in Malmesbury itself. For precise information and bookings please contact Shirley Betts Tel; 833 683
(Diary Dates) Flower Arranging Talk and Demonstration, Thursday 15th May, 7.30pm, Wellow Village Hall Nicky Llewellyn will show us the latest trends from Europe. Members free, Guests welcome £1.
Garden Party will be on Friday 4th July at the kind invitation to members and their guests by Joyce & Peter Morphew.
Junior Gardening Club is back in full swing so please put the 3rd Sunday of each month on the calendar now! The next meeting will be held on Sunday 20th April (Easter Sunday) 10.30am - 12 noon. Contact Lisa Layzell - Davis Tel; 309007 for further information and offers of help.
Mari Bartholomew
NEWSLETTER Please may I have all copy for the Newsletter by the 20th of April. It can be left in the shop or delivered to me at St. Julian's Well. If you have email that would be very helpful. Thank you very much . Jill Tremellen 833506 email julians.well@virgin.net