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August 2019 August 2019
and life giving experience to come together as the body of Christ. As some
members of the congregation said after the Service: ‘The sum was better than the DATES FOR
parts.’
However, the knowledge that we are to welcome a new member of the YOUR DIARY
Benefice Team in October leads us to think about vocation and discipleship; who
is it that is called, who learns and who is sent out to do the Lord’s work? Often,
when we think about vocation and discipleship we think ‘clergy’ and, of course, 2019
clergy are learners, they are called and they are sent by God out into the world in
mission to do His work. But it is not only clergy that that this commission applies to. Key: FG-Floral Group, AL-Autumn Leaves, TA– Twinning, WI-Women’s
At the joint Service I referred to above we kept the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul. Institute, PiP-Pop in Place, GC-Gardening Club
This day in the church calendar is always a time at which men and women (in the
Church of England at any rate) are ordained as deacons and priests. On the day
of our Service it was the day for the ordination of deacons. Eight men and women August
were ordained as deacons in Salisbury Cathedral and have now taken their
places as Assistant Curates in their parishes or chaplaincies to begin the particular 10th Affpuddle Church Fete, Cruck Cottage, Briantspuddle 2.00-4.00
ministry to which God has called them at this time. All clergy (including priests,
archdeacons, priests, bishops and even archbishops) are ordained first as 14th AL: Home Grown Entertainment
deacons and even if they are later also ordained as priests (or bishops,
archbishops ..) they always remain a deacon.
September
The term ‘deacon’ comes from a Greek meaning ‘one who serves’. In the New
Testament, the deacons, such as Philip in the Acts of the Apostles, were those who 3rd GC: Food for Free, Foraging for Wild Food, James Feaver 7.30
served at table; deacons are the servants of others modelled on the pattern of
Jesus who told us that he came ’not to be served but to serve and to give his life 10th FG: Willow Workshop, Puddletown
as a ransom for many.’ The scriptural image that illustrates this most of all is where
Jesus takes a towel (‘stole’), ties it around his waist and washes his disciples’ feet. 11th AL: Rob Curtis, Dorset Curiosities
Washing feet was always the job of a servant. Sometimes men and women may
be ordained as ‘distinctive deacons.’ In this case they are not later also ordained 18th WI: Local Artist
as priests (or bishops). Their calling is to serve, with one foot in the church and the
other in the world acting as a bridge between the two. The thing about all 14th PiP: Bere Regis Alzheimer’s Memory Walk 10.00
deacons, though, is that although ordained they symbolise the ministry to which
all baptised Christians are called whether ordained or not. They are, if you like, 27th PiP: MacMillan Coffee Morning 10.00-12.00
the visible illustration of our common calling because all of us are called to
diaconal ministry; that is to service of others. If you look carefully at a deacon
during worship and they wear robes, which is quite likely, you may notice October
something about them; namely that the stole which they receive at ordination is
worn over one shoulder and tied to the side whereas a priest’s stole is word 1st GC: Harvest Supper
around both shoulders and it hangs freely to the front. The deacon’s stole is
‘moved’ to the side so as to be out of the way of the work of the day. The work 8th FG: R Thompson, Up the Garden Path
can be any work but most usually it is expected to be service of others.
9th AL: Tony Bates, Stunning Wildlife Photography
In these next few months as we anticipate the arrival of our new colleague and
priest, there is a real opportunity for us pray for Rev Sandra and Graham as they 12th PiP: Presentation Evening with Shaun Marx 7.30
prepare to move to Bere Regis and also to ask ourselves:-who am I, or who are
we, being called to serve in our communities at this time?
13th Havest Lunch - Briantspuddle Village Hall 12.30
Rev Carol

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