Welcome
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Welcome to the Atlantic Coast Cluster web site We are living in strange times, but the great news is we are now permitted to open our churches for private prayer and worship. Details of current services can be found on the Home page (Currently services are suspended until 6th December when we hope to the usualpattern of services)
The worship will be Holy Communion at present and there is no singing permitted and social distancing must be maintained and the wearing of masks is compulsory We will continue to offer recorded services as we know many still will be unable or unwilling to attend worship. If you would like to listen to our services please go to the audio page in the media section if you know of someone who has not got internet access then the daily service can be I will contine to post things that I have found helpful below as well as the Sunday Reflection
above is a photo the blessing which is in my hall, the celtic blessing, Useful links From the Times - Ways to Improve your Mood A 3 minute meditation +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-++-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-++-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ Reflection for Advent Sunday Reflection Well here we are, the first Sunday of Advent, and if you are having a bit of déjà vu, about our gospel reading today, then I am with you. It was only at the end of October, the last Sunday of Trinity, that we were treated to Matthews’ rendering of the first part of today’s gospel reading. The coming of the Son of Man and the reference to the fig tree, and if that was not sufficient, we also have Mark’s take today on the slaves in charge of things, which resonated with the parable of the talents only 2 weeks ago from Matthew. So, yes we have heard these passages before, but we are in a different time, for we have arrived in Advent, a new church year has dawned. Advent means coming or arrival and traditionally this was a time of repentance. Hence our churches were adorned in purple, the colour of repentance used for both Lent and Advent. It was a time of waiting, watching, and praying. A time of preparation for the glorious celebration of incarnation of Christ. And our readings are about preparation, about how we should live in the light of the gospel and in the preparation of the time for the Christmas season and for when we ourselves will meet our Lord Jesus. We are called to be alert because God calls us to be so. Alert to what is happening around us. Alert to the needs of others. Alert to the signs of the Kingdom of God. That was the message that Mark was driving home. In his gospel, it is imperative, be alert, it is important, it is now – it is urgent. Mark’s Gospel is the gospel of immediately. It is his favourite advert, he wants his readers to know that it is important, not something to be side lined and left. Now is the time. Get up and do. This generation will not pass, until these things come to pass. In those days, after that suffering, the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in the heavens will be shaken. Then they will see “the Son of Man coming in clouds” with great power and glory. Then he will send out the angels, and gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of heaven Truly I tell you, this generation will not pass away until all these things have taken place. Heaven and earth will pass away, but my words will not pass away. Great rousing stuff, for getting people going, for stirring up the faithful into action, but what happens when, as far as I can see from where I stand, it does not come to pass. I have not seen the Son of Man coming with great glory, or the sending of the angels to gather the elect or heaven and earth passing away. So what are we to say about this? We could say that the word generation does not mean, parent to child, rather more the generation of humankind. Or we could say the language is beyond us, a mystery. And all are valid, but what are we to do with it? We the followers of God incarnate. We the followers in the 21st century. We who are called to live out Christ’s words, be Christ to those we meet. Well to be repetitive, we are to do as Christ told us. Do as we were told. Feed the hungry. Water the thirsty. Clothe the naked. Tend the sick. Visit the prisoners. Or to put it another way, to be Christ’s hands and feet and act. This is what we are called to be. Amen
St Cubertus by Sue Parkington “Tis closed”, the old man said, “Locked and cold within”, ‘Why’s that?’I asked ‘I can’t make sense of thee’. “Tis the virus; and the Bishops, So they say, They’m scared we might get sick. I’m only ninety three” ‘Let’s chat outside a while’ I said, Though raining heavily. “No good”, he said, then added, “Just come along with me, ‘Tis cosy in the south porch, And sheltered from the breeze”. And so we shared our crib there, Saffron bun and mug of tea. Keeping social distancing! A friend and company.
Precious Life (An Acrostic for Easter Time 2020) by Liz Cleves Perhaps we are listening, and Remembering what is dear to us Each of us recollecting Spring times, and the promise of nature bringing its gifts Conscious too that the beautiful Earth is suffering from our ‘overload’. In the morning I listen to the robin and the wren guarding my garden, and Out early I see the mighty sun lift over the horizon Unfettered and free in it’s course. Softly I give thanks for all in my care and all that I receive.
Let me give thanks In every way let me treasure my life and all that is dear to me Fearing only fear itself and Enjoying all while I may.
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