Page 8 - br-dec-2021

December 2021 December 2021

FROM THE REGISTERS ARTSREACH

St John the Baptist, Bere Regis Briantspuddle Artsreach presents:

Baptisms A Christmas Carol by David Mynne
10 October John and Adam Ventham-Hein
th
Venue: Briantspuddle Village Hall
Date: Saturday 11th December at 7.30 p.m.

BISHOP’S LETTER Ticket Price: Adult: £10 Child: £6 Family: £25
Box Office: For Tickets Call 07788100273.
Tickets also available online at www.artsreach.co.uk
An uncluttered Christmas

Having just returned from leading a Diocesan pilgrimage to
Iona, I am reflecting upon the rich threads which weave David Mynne, veteran Cornish
their way through Celtic Spirituality, including an actor and a founder member of
appreciation of God’s creation. A life that treads gently on Kneehigh, presents a one-man
the earth because God created it and gave it to us to performance of Charles
enjoy also reflects the fifth mark of mission: To strive to Dickens’ ‘A Christmas Carol’;
safeguard the integrity of creation and sustain and renew spend an evening with
the life of the earth. COP26 provided a platform for Christians as well as other Ebenezer Scrooge: a squeezing,
environmentalists to highlight some of the ways God’s earth is being damaged wrenching, grasping, clutching,
beyond repair, calling us all to live simpler lives. covetous, old miser! Bah!
Advent is a time for preparation and gives all of us an opportunity to make In their inimitable style, the team
changes to the ways we live to make the world a better place. As consumers, the that brought you Great
temptation is to accumulate and to waste; as Christians, the call is to be generous Expectations, Dracula and The
and live as good stewards. The trappings of Christmas surround us – do we really Odyssey will now take you on a
need another special bauble for the tree? Or that glittery wrapping paper that grim (sort of) journey through
will not easily recycle? Can we invite people in for a simple supper? Or give just the dark, dismal streets of
one or two presents and not the usual dozen? Victorian London. Expect
Dickens’ original words with added silliness. Silliness? Bah!
The first Christmas was very much a stripped-back affair. God’s Son, born in
simplicity, grew up to teach the same simplicity, telling us not to store up Celebrate the festive season with a mesmerising one-man performance of
possessions, and to give things away to others. His appreciation of the birds of the Charles Dickens’ timeless, transformative story, now with extra Humbug! Touring
air and the lilies in the field were a challenge to our own worries and anxiety with Artsreach, Dorset’s rural touring arts charity. Recommended 9+
about ‘many things’. Refreshments: Bar with Mulled wine and mince pies. Tea and coffee will also be
Therefore, let our response be to tread gently on the earth, too: pointing out to available.
those who have influence when the decisions they take mars God’s creation;
preparing through a simple advent, and welcoming the Christ child in the most
uncluttered way we can.
+Karen

8 73