July_August_2019_mag

A warm and friendly place,
come in and feel at home.

July & August
2019

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Primley United Reformed Church

Did you know …

there is a warm welcome for YOU at our Church?

We worship and serve the living God who has the power through
His Son, Jesus Christ, to bring love, peace, joy and a sense of
purpose to our lives, by the power of the Holy Spirit.

We are a United Reformed Church, part of the family of
Christian churches here in Sidmouth.

We are committed to bringing the Good News of Jesus Christ
and an understanding of the Christian way of life to the town in

which we live.

Our worship on Sunday morning commences at 10.30am and is
relaxed and informal.

All are welcome.

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Dear Friends

In June we saw wonderful coverage of the 75th Anniversary
events of the D-Day landings in Normandy, a monumentally
planned invasion that changed the course of WW2 and the
course of history.

Richard and I hadn’t realised this historical milestone was
imminent when we were planning our recent trip (one we had been
planning for quite some time) for May.

On May 13th we drove over to Northern France via Le Shuttle,
and our trip took us on through Belgium, and then into West
Germany.

Both of our Uncles were in Bomber Command in WW2 and both
were shot down and killed.

They are each buried in different cemeteries in West Germany.
Richard’s Uncle Len is in The Reichswald Forest War Cemetery
near Kleve, just over the Dutch/German border and my Uncle
Douglas is in Hannover War Cemetery. Len was a 26 year old pilot
flying Vickers Wellington Bombers and Douglas was a 21 year old
Navigator in the Avro Lancaster Bombers. They were both killed
in 1943.

We spent 12 days on our trip and covered just over 1600 miles.
What we didn’t anticipate was the extent of emotion that we
would both feel and also the amount of history about both of the
World wars that we would learn about.

We visited the Menin Gate in Ypres, Thiepval Memorial near The
Somme river, museums, an Art exhibition, Munster and Lille,.

But one of the most poignant things was in Northern France and
just over the border into Belgium, when we passed war cemetery

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after war cemetery. Some were small, some large, but all looking
so beautifully cared for. The War Graves Commission do the
most amazing job looking after these places and it must give so
much comfort ( like it did us ) to know that relatives are still so
honoured and respected. One lady we met who although living in
West Germany was Dutch, and when she knew what the purpose
of our trip was, she said “We were so grateful then and we still
are to this day”.

Our trip more than anything was humbling, and seeing the young
ages of the fallen, row upon row. When we look at our children
and grandchildren, friends and families, how true it is that those
brave men gave “their tomorrow for our today.”

We can’t imagine the true horrors of those two wars, or of
course any war, but we read in John 15: “This is my
commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.
Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for
his friends.”

But still we have not learnt the meaning of love. We are told to
“love our neighbours as ourselves.” Today 75 years after so many
young men gave their lives for peace and freedom on those
Normandy beaches in the air, land and on the sea, war still tears
people and countries apart.

Let us pray fervently for “Peace on Earth” but let it begin inside
each and every person in the whole world.

On the last day of our trip we arrived at the little town of
Wissant, Northern France about 20 minutes south of Calais on
the coast. It is a sweet little town and boasts the most beautiful
beaches, akin to those that were used for the Normandy
landings.

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Whist walking around the lovely church of St Nicholas in
Wissant, a large book was open at this page. It is the famous
Prayer of Abandonment by Charles de Foucauld, which of course
was originally written in French and translated reads:

Father,
I abandon myself into your hands; do with me what you will.

Whatever you may do, I thank you:
I am ready for all, I accept all.

Let only your will be done in me, and in all your creatures.
I wish no more than this, O Lord.

Into your hands I commend my soul;
I offer it to you

with all the love of my heart,
for I love you, Lord,

and so need to give myself,
to surrender myself into your hands,

without reserve,
and with boundless confidence,

for you are my Father.

If only we were able to repeat those words every day of our
lives, the world would indeed be a very different place.

Charles de Foucauld

Charles de Foucald was born into an aristocratic family of
Strasbourg, France on September 15th, 1858. His parents died
while he was still quite young, leaving him a large fortune. After a
rowdy youth of spending his parent’s money on the best
champagne and foie gras, he entered the military and did a stint
in the French foreign legion. His insistance that his mistress

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Mimi accompany him to social events for officers and their wives,
earned him the contempt of his colleagues, leading to his defiant
resignation from the military.

While living among the Muslim population of North Africa, he had
developed a fascination with Islam and the Koran, but
nevertheless remained an agnostic. Once back in his native
France, he embarked on a religious quest that led him frequently
to stop in Catholic Churches to make this prayer: “God, if you
exist, let me know it.”

Finally, in 1886, he experienced a profound conversion to Christ,
went to confession, and began discerning a vocation to some sort
of religious life. In 1888, he visited the Holy Land, and developed
a real love of Nazareth and devotion to the hidden, ordinary life
of Mary, Joseph and Jesus.

In 1890, he entered the French Trappist Abbey of Our Lady of
the Snows. Not long after, he was assigned to a monastery in
Syria where his work was to supervise a crew of Muslim manual
laborers who worked for the monastery. He realised at this point
that he was called not to be a boss, but a servant and laborer
himself, to be last as Jesus was, not first. So he left the
Trappists and, after working as a gardener for a monastery of
Poor Clares in Nazareth from 1897-1900, was ordained to the
priesthood on June 9, 1901, and returned to the Muslim people of
North Africa to live among them as a hermit.

For fifteen years he lived “the hidden life of Nazareth” outside
of Tamanrasset, a village of the Touareg tribe, a Berber people
of the Southern Sahara desert, where temperatures could rise
to 120 degrees during the day and plummet to near freezing at
night. His days were spent in manual labour and such tasks as
translating the gospels into the Touareg language, while most of
his nights were spent in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament.

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On December 1st, 1916 he was murdered by a band of rebellious,
anti-French tribesmen. A religious order of men and women have
sprung from his witness, called respectively the Little Brothers
and the Little Sisters of Jesus. They aspire to live as he did–
among the poor, working alongside them, silent witnesses to the
Gospel through their love, prayer and very ordinary life of hard
work. There is also an association of diocesan priests that come
from his influence, called Jesus Caritas.

Charles de Foucauld was beatified by Pope Benedict XVI on
November 13th, 2005. At this ceremony of beatification at St
Peter’s Basilica, Pope Benedict briefly greeted the pilgrims who
filled the basilica, among whom were Tuaregs from the desert,
with their blue robes and white turbans. Speaking in French,
Benedict XVI gave thanks to God for the testimony of Father
Foucauld: “Through his contemplative and hidden life in Nazareth
he found the true humanity of Jesus, inviting us to contemplate
the mystery of the incarnation. . . . He discovered that Jesus,
who came to unite himself with us in our humanity, invites us to
universal fraternity, which Foucauld later lived in the Sahara, to
the love of that which Christ had given, as an example to us. . . .
As a priest, he put the Eucharist and the Gospel at the centre of
his existence.” He is probably best known for his inspiring
“Prayer of Abandonment.

Charles de Foucauld is very much like St. Therese of Lisieux, who
died while Charles was in Nazareth. For both of them, holiness
was to be found in the midst of the everydayness of ordinary
life, in the small things that we do that become great, because
they are motivated by great LOVE.

We also visited an Evangelical Reformed church in Osnabruck
Germany, not unlike our URC churches here in its style. There

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was a large plate with little rolled up paper scrolls for visitors to
take. We each took one. They were Bible verses.
Later we unravelled them and with the help of “Google
Translate” from German into English, they then read:
Exodus 23.20
See I am sending you an angel ahead of you to guard you along
the way, and to bring you to the place I have prepared.
Job 37. 5
God’s voice thunders in marvellous ways; he does great things
beyond our understanding.
We were quite astounded what verses we had chosen by chance.
Or had we? But in these verses we both felt God’s reassurance,
not only for ourselves, but also for us all during this time of
uncertainty in the life of our church here at Primley.

Maggie

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Concerts at Sidholme Music Room

You are most welcome to come along and enjoy these
live performances given by local and visiting artistes.
The majority of the events are free, with retiring collections for
the Music Room Restoration Fund and other charities.

Sunday 7th July 3.30-4.30pm
BRAMDEAN SCHOOL CHAPEL CHOIR
and YOUNG MUSICIANS CONCERT
M.D. Rachel Bennett

Sunday 14th July 3.30-4.30pm
PIANIST JOYCE CLARKE plays
CLASSICAL FAVOURITES

Wednesday 17th July, 7.45-8.45pm
Summertime with
THE TALE VALLEY CHOIR
M.D. Emma Palmer

Thursday 18th July 7.45-8.45pm
THE EXETER CHORALE
CHAMBER CHOIR
Old English Madrigals
M.D. Simon Dunbavand

Saturday 20th July 3 - 4.15pm
PIANO AND VIOLA RECITAL by
NATASHA O'FLYNN
Accompanist Nicola Grunberg

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Sun 11th August 3.30-4.30pm
Cimbalova Muzica Vedrovci
Family Dulcimer Band from South Moravia
Traditional and Classical
Favourites
Wed 28th August 4.30-6pm
An Arts in Residence Piano Recital
Peter Rhodes plays Bach, Mendelssohn
and Mozart
Sun 1st Sept 3.30-4.30pm
The Maesteg Gleemen
Welsh Choir
Guest Soloist Val Howels

FOLK FESTIVAL SERVICE
AUGUST 4TH CONNAUGHT GARDENS @10.30am

(NO SERVICE AT PRIMLEY)

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INVITATION

Open House at Coastguard Cottages, Dawlish

All friends at Primley Church are warmly invited to our annual
Open House at 1 Coastguard Cottages, EX7 0BT on Saturday
20th July between 3pm and 8pm.
Refreshments provided
Please park in Eastcliff Road or Elm Grove Road. (A health
warning for the uninitiated: there is no vehicle access and there
are about 40 steps down the cliff - not for the fainthearted, but
worth it!)
If you can let us know you are coming, that would be helpful (Tel:
01626 865030 or email: [email protected])
However, if you have a spontaneous urge to come along on the
day, that's fine!
We look forward to seeing you.
Rev Iain McDonald

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Celebrating Fairtrade

This year Traidcraft celebrates 40 years of trading (1979 –
2019).

This year also marks 25 years since the FAIRTRADE mark was
launched in the UK. Look out for the mark in local shops.

Traidcraft are the original pioneers in the UK, fighting for
social, economic and trade justice since 1979. Traidcraft believe
in fair trade, which means that the artisans and farmers (the
people who make and grow the food and products we use
everyday) should be paid and treated fairly at all times.

Traidcraft’s wide range still includes crafts, fashion and
groceries.

In recent years Traidcraft have placed more importance on
looking after our planet than ever before. Often craft products
are created using recycled materials such as glass, rubber tyres,
wire and paper from rags. Many of their grocery products –
bananas, tea, coffee, sugar – are farmed organically, without
using chemicals, fertilisers or pesticides. Farmers receive
guidance on sustainability . Traidcraft have even produced the
first sustainable, organic and Fairtrade palm oil in Ghana which is
called Serendipalm.

During Folk Week there will be a Fairtrade Craft and food stall
outside the the Parish Church, Fairtrade drinks available inside
the Parish Church and also at other venues around Sidmouth.

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Primley Prayer Page
Please remember the following in your own personal prayer times
and pray for: -
* Sea Sunday on July 14th and for all the Emergency Services in
the air, on the land and sea.
*The Church Meeting on July 21st.
* For teachers and pupils as they enjoy their summer holidays.
* Sidmouth Folk Festival and the service in Connaught Gardens
* Our House group and Bible Study group as we share God’s
Word and enjoy fellowship together.
* Krèche and Co, as the leaders use the time with the mums and
toddlers to share God’s love amidst the fun!
* The continuing witness of “Open the Book” in Sidmouth Primary
school.
* All the people who lead our worship on Sundays and we thank
God for their commitment to our church.
* Our Friendship Lunches, that those who come will find warmth
and friendship amongst the church fellowship.
* Those of our congregation and those known to us personally
who are unwell, bereaved or struggling.
* For the future of our Church, Rural Ministries, SW Synod and
for everyone within our congregation, as we seek God’s will for
the future.
If you have items you would like included on the Prayer page in
future magazines, please let either Maggie or Richard have the
details.

Thank you.

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CHRISTIAN AID WEEK 2019
Sunday 12th May - Saturday 18th May

Thank you to Jill O’Hara for organising the TEA AND CAKES
afternoon at Primley during Christian Aid Week which was held
on May 15th at 3pm.
Thank you also to everyone who made cakes and helped in any
way.
The Total amount raised from the Tea and Cakes afternoon was
£115. 60
Personal donations collected during the week were £235.00
including Gift Aid.

Therefore the total amount donated from Primley during
Christian Aid Week was £350:60.

A VERY BIG THANK YOU TO EVERYONE FOR BEING SO
GENEROUS

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SID VALLEY HELP

Sid Valley HELP is a new service for the Sid Valley
Our Mission is to unite and mobilise the goodwill of our
community, to support all local residents of the Sid Valley when
it is needed most in times of illness, loneliness, difficulty or life-
changing circumstances.
You can find us in the Leigh Browne Room, Dissenters Chapel, All
Saints Road, EX19 8ER: 10am-noon, Tuesdays and Thursdays.
We can help with free and confidential information. We can
offer advice on health and care support services.
You can also give us a call on either of these numbers:

01395 892011 or 07378 964521

CHURCH MEETING
Sunday July 21st @11.30am after morning worship
Please try to attend as we have important items to discuss, and

need your input and support.
Thank you.

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HOUSE GROUP & BIBLE STUDY

The House Group meets on alternate
Wednesdays @ 2.30pm
Venue - Leat House, Bridge Street,
Sidbury. The next planned meetings
will be on: July 3rd and 17th.
The monthly Bible Study is on the 4th
Friday. The next meeting will be on August 23rd at 10.30am @ 2
Temple Mews, Sidmouth.

Generosity
Today, I helped make food for the homeless.
The man I was giving the sandwich to said he didn’t want it. I
asked him “Why don’t you want it?”
He turned round and pointed to his friend in the queue behind
him and said “I want birthday boy to have two sandwiches on his
special day. It’s the only gift I’m able to give him.”
His friend was elated.
People who have nothing still give.

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Invitation to Sunday lunch
PRIMLEY CHURCH HALL

7th July 2019

Do you spend Sundays by yourself? Do you like to meet new
people? Would you like someone else to cook Sunday lunch for
you? If you answer ‘Yes’ to any of these questions, please accept
our invitation to Sunday Lunch.
*No charge * No catch* *and No washing up!*
If you are interested and especially if you require transport,
please telephone Jayne.

And as always this cannot be done without a band of volunteers
providing food, serving, giving lifts, just chatting and making
people feel welcome. Voluntary contributions towards cost of the
meat always welcome.
Please contact Jayne 577396 or Maggie on 597464.

p.s. - The following Sunday Lunch will be on September 1st

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Exeter and Coast Group Pastorate

The meeting of Elders of Glenorchy, Heavitree & Pinhoe, Primley
and Southernhay United Reformed Churches took place on 30th
April 2019 at Pinhoe URC.

(Also in attendance, the Moderator of SWSynod – Ruth
Whitehead and the Interim Moderators of Glenorchy and
Heavitree & Pinhoe churches)

The possibility being explored at the meeting was the formation
of an ‘Exeter and Coast’ group consisting of the churches
represented which might have 1.5 ministers.

Primley are exploring the possibility of a Pioneer or Rural
Ministries worker but, if this proposal went ahead, it could fit
well into the team envisaged. There was no conflict between the
two.

The church secretaries of each of the four churches are
therefore asked to respond to the Synod Clerk or Synod Pastoral
Advisor by the end of June 2019 to indicate whether their
church would wish to be part of this ‘Exeter & Coast’ grouping,
with any comments they would wish to make about your
involvement.

If the churches agreed, and this idea were to go ahead, it is
hoped that formal proposals could then be made from the Synod
Pastoral Committee, for the churches to consider in July.

It is hoped that Pastorate Profiles could be finalized by the end
of July at the latest, so that the resulting vacancies could be
taken to the Moderators’ Meeting in September.

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Rural Ministries

On Sunday May 26th Rev Alison Griffiths from Rural Ministries
lead Worship.

After the service we had a “Bring and Share” lunch with Alison,
when she reported back about the work that Rural Ministries
has done for Primley.

Alison had been fully informed about the recent proposal of an
Exeter and Coastal group Pastorate .

She hasn’t perceived any particular areas for Primley on which
to focus, but she suggests exploration into deeper mission needs
is required. Spiritual leadership and grassroots are required to
take this action on.

She suggests joining in with the other URC churches that are
involved with the proposed Exeter and Coastal group and engage
in a Mission Learning programme and Learning Community.

Alison will have a meeting with the Moderator and will feed back
to us by the end of June/early July.

Please continue to pray for God’s leading and that we strive to do
what He would want us to do, only for His glory.

MAGAZINE

The deadline for the next church magazine will be August 16th
for the September/October edition. Please e-mail to
[email protected]

or give printed / written copy to Maggie Knights.
The Primley Website address is:- www.primleyurc.co.uk

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ROTAS FOR JULY 2019

7th 14th 21st 28th
Roger
Elder Roger Richard Maggie Alison

Door Alison Roger and Eleanor
Stewards Marilyn

Holy Communion – Roger and Marilyn

ROTAS FOR AUGUST 2019

4th 11th 18th 25th Sept 1st
Richard
Elder No Richard Maggie Roger
Alison
Service

Door Roger and Alison Eleanor
Stewards Marilyn

Holy Communion – Colin and Jill

Elders & Door Stewards - if you cannot do duty, please
remember to swap with someone else.

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JULY 2019 PREACHERS
7th Richard Gullock (from Lyme Regis)
14th Rev Ruth Whitehead –SW Synod Moderator
21st
28th “Bring and Share Service”

Rev Barbara Bennett
Communion

AUGUST 2019 PREACHERS

4th NO SERVICE at Primley
Folk festival Service Connaught Gardens
@ 10.30am

11th Geoff Powell

18th Jon Oliverio (Pastoral Advisor)

25th Rev Iain MacDonald
Sept 1st Communion

Rev Robert Jennings

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CHURCH DIARY FOR JULY & AUGUST 2019

3rd Wednesday 2.30pm Sidbury House group

5th Friday 10.00am Krèche & Co
Parent & Toddler Club

7th Sunday 12.15pm Community Friendship
Lunch

12th Friday 10.00am Krèche & Co
17th Wednesday 2.30pm Parent & Toddler Club

Sidbury House group

18th Thursday 7.00pm Elders meeting

19th Friday 10.00am Krèche & Co
Parent & Toddler Club

21st Sunday 11.30am CHURCH MEETING

August 4th Sunday No Service at Primley-
10.30am

Folk Festival Service

Aug 23rd Friday 10.30am Bible Study -2 Temple
Mews

Sept 1st Sunday 12.15pm Friendship Lunch

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Contacts

Secretary
Maggie Knights
60 Bridge Street
Sidbury EX10 0RU
Tel: 01395 597464

Treasurer
Mr Richard Wainwright

Tel: 07586346521
Hall Lettings Secretary
Maggie Knights for bookings/payment

01395 597464

Church Services

Sundays:
10.30am: Family Worship
4th Sunday each month: Holy Communion

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As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

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