tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-77100000677387040732011-08-05T22:08:41.223+01:00The Blog of Rev David A Brinn, Chair of Frome Area Christians Together, Somerset, UKFrome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.comBlogger1101100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-2753743233450172232010-04-23T18:20:00.000+01:002010-04-23T18:20:00.092+01:00

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-11817548134317003912010-04-16T20:08:00.002+01:002010-04-16T20:08:00.622+01:00

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-82723190771073853922010-02-13T17:38:00.002Z2010-02-13T17:41:40.986Z

Frome Holiday Bible Club is holding an afternoon at the Cricket Club this coming Thursday 18th February. A great opportunity for children to do something with a Christian focus during half term. More details from Yvonne at Wesley Office.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-87980901034983841542010-02-13T17:30:00.002Z2010-02-13T17:38:19.302Z

HOTS in Frome are still going out regularly to pray for healing. Although not part of FACT as such they have our blessing to explore this ministry and they hope that they can join us as full FACT members at some stage in the future.Edmund Philimore writes of their progress and I thought it would be good to share it with you all :The HOTS Frome team have now been out in Kingsway 12 times,

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-45828878959617108802010-02-13T17:18:00.004Z2010-02-13T17:30:25.707Z

Lots of the practical work which the churches of Frome and the surrounding area do, is done through HOPEFrome.The team recently came up with the things which they want to do for 2010 and how they want to further develop those which are already in place.The coffee van is going to always run on alternate Fridays outside St John's. New helpers needed. Its great fun and worthwhile and you will see a

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-69016931430457960652010-02-13T17:08:00.003Z2010-02-13T17:18:03.934Z

Plans are going apace and your prayers are asked for those who are tasked with drawing this up.One significant change to the timetable. It was decided at the leader's lunch meeting yesterday that the plan should be presented at the May 11th AGM but not come into force until 1st September 2010 when all church committess, councils and decision making groups will have had a chance to discuss it and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-91306500812145448832010-02-13T16:57:00.002Z2010-02-13T17:08:07.193Z

Lent is almost upon us and as well as the Lent Courses which start on Monday 22nd, FACT organises Lent Lunches on each Thursday starting this week ! They are at St John's 12.30pm -1.30pm and a different church or churches organises them each week. Doing them on the Thursdays means that we get 7 in ! The proceeds from this £3 head simple meal ( children under 11 eat free and as its half term this

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-37970971360800320062010-01-27T21:36:00.002Z2010-01-27T21:56:16.669Z

When I mentioned the idea of a 5 year plan for FACT - someone suggested it sounded like something Stalin would come up with in the days of the old Soviet Union. I know I can come across as strict but it's not that terrible I can assure you.The purpose is to look at what FACT is currently doing and to see whether we want to carry on doing each and every activity ( as time has gone on more things

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-81259793494621723312010-01-27T21:19:00.003Z2010-01-27T21:36:10.618Z

The joint Lent Course has become a part of FACT life across the last couple of years. This year as in the past two, we will follow the course produced by York Courses. This year it is entitled "When I Survey- Christ's Cross and Ours" It's taking place in 10 places at 10 times and you are sure to find one to suit you. You don't need to go to the same one each week !The joy of a joint Lent course

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-26702753526500837722010-01-27T21:04:00.003Z2010-01-27T21:17:42.611Z

Holy Trinity are holding a Taize evening on 14/2/10 at 6pmIf you don't know what Taize is - one way of finding out of course is to go along !- Taize is an ecumenical community of brothers and lay people, living and praying together, to show the way to an united Church and a united world of peace and reconcilliation ( it was born out of the embers of the Second World War) Their meditative and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-62892911978119980872010-01-27T20:58:00.000Z2010-01-27T20:58:44.933Z

Mark our Youth Worker is organising a puppet workshop for anyone interested in the possibility of using puppets in a Christian context !!! Mark says : "Whether you have never picked up a puppet in your life, or you want to develop your skills and range of styles, this day is for you!" The Holy Trinity Broadcasting Corporation puppet team at Holy Trinity Church, Frome, will give you a

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-44500877647941580692010-01-27T20:49:00.000Z2010-01-27T20:49:43.565Z

It was potentially a hectic week and no-one expected anyone to do the lot ! It was good to hear that some people made it to the "Come and See" services which were put on in our various churches last week. Hopefully next year more people will take the plunge and pop along, I know this is not place for reviews but I wonder if we needed some more evening ones. It was lovely to go and use the

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-7857077490619984132010-01-27T20:42:00.000Z2010-01-27T20:42:57.419Z

For some Churches Together groups it is the case that once the Week of Prayer is finished, ecumenical activity can go into its folder and remain there for another 12 months. We all know though that thats not what happens in Frome and certainly not this year as we start the review process for FACT. Coming up in next few months ( in no particular order ) Lent Lunches Lent Courses HOPEFrome Litter

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-27862303829288177462010-01-08T09:02:00.000Z2010-01-08T09:02:00.822Z

One very practical way in which we can experience what the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity means is our annual pulpit exchange.For anyone who doesn't know what it entails, minsters and lay preachers go to other churches, of a different denomination and preach at a regular Sunday Services. Some lead the whole service, others just preach a sermon. Each year it gets larger and there is great deal

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-68913143045967015852010-01-07T09:01:00.000Z2010-01-07T09:01:44.045Z

We are fast approaching this most important time of year for any ecumenical group. The Week of Prayer is just over 100 years old as an idea, and its now an established part of the Church calendar. The reason the dates 18th-25th January were chosen originially was that 18th January was originally the Feast of the Chair of St Peter ( now 22nd February ) and 25th is the Feast of the Conversion of St

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-19340327316494380762010-01-07T08:41:00.000Z2010-01-07T08:41:55.456Z

We are all rightly proud of how far down the ecumenical road FACT is. We have come a long way together and while there is still a long way to go, we can take heart that we are a lot further on and a lot closer than many ecumencial groups. However do we really know where we are going? What are our priorities ? How are we going to acheive them ? How are we going to finance them ? If we are to

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-83466188168112421432009-12-04T08:55:00.003Z2009-12-04T09:11:13.141Z

Sunday 6.15pm @ Wesley Methodist ChurchAn important part of our work together is worshipping together. We do it at least 6 times a year ( which is unusual for many Churches Together Groups ) and it allows us to explore our relationship with each other in a different way to when we are working together on social action etc.This year's Advent worship has been put together by Rev Angela Steele of

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-15158854005929891992009-12-04T08:48:00.002Z2009-12-04T08:55:13.830Z

Nunney Anglican Church is hosting a Christmas Tree Festival from this Sunday for a full week. It is open from 10am each day to 4pm. FACT have tree which reflects our Unity with Diversity motto. Its also a way of publicising all the Christmas Services in our various churches.Do go along and support the event

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-16879648078863322212009-12-04T08:47:00.000Z2009-12-04T08:47:57.097Z

Our annual ( well its gone that way after last year ) carol singing to the people of Frome, to bring them the message of Christmas begins tomorrow at 12.30pm at Sainsburys foyer. Please turn out in big numbers. Carol sheets provided and despite what some of you claim EVERYBODY CAN SING !!!! It really is important that we get out in good numbers for all the carol singing events and make an impact.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-89263516958376267252009-12-04T08:40:00.000Z2009-12-04T08:40:27.357Z

Thanks to all you turned out in terrible weather last Sunday. We certainly made an impact because we hadn't stayed at home and stayed dry. We had the courage of our convictions and 100 or so Christians marching together certainly got home the message of what Christmas is all about. It was interesting that one or two of the passengers of passing cars felt the need to heckle. As was pointed out to

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-75314294809109460082009-12-01T10:37:00.051Z2009-12-04T09:28:31.125Z

The Tower of St George's is Norman in origin while the much of the rest of the church is 15th Century in origin. Inside the church has an impressive array of memorials on the walls and some brasses in the floor ( although those that can be seen are in fact copies of the originals ) In the south aisle are stone Royal Arms dated 1574 and in the other aisle is a monument to the poet Samuel Danyel d

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-50620606799250222752009-11-21T08:00:00.022Z2009-11-21T09:10:54.264Z

Hugh O'Flaherty - Roman Catholic - Priest (28 February, 1898 – 30 October, 1963) Hugh O'Flaherty was born in Lisrobin, Kiskeam, County Cork, Ireland and studied theology at the Killarney seminary. He was posted to Rome in 1922 to finish his studies and was ordained on 20 December, 1925. He stayed to work for the Holy See, serving as a Vatican diplomat in Egypt, Haiti, Santo Domingo and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-85041846980992068632009-11-19T17:15:00.000Z2009-11-19T17:15:04.081Z

Just wondered if anyone is reading the blog and whether people find it useful. Would be good if you could leave a comment and tell me if you are reading it and if you're a FACT person or someone who has picked it up on the WWW Just a thought !!!

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-38912988133065270682009-11-18T13:14:00.002Z2009-11-18T13:16:42.015Z

The church at Great Elm originates from the 12th Century with some later additions. It has an unusual tower with a sloping roof which matches those of the nave and chancel. There is an Elizabeathan gallery and some box pews of Jacobean origin. The stained glass is also worth noting in this church. Next to the rather hight pulpit is a little depicted story from Acts "The raising of Tabitha".

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-74295633470935734182009-11-16T07:51:00.000Z2009-11-16T07:51:00.828Z

For many years, FACT has led the carol singing at the Spectacular Shopping Evening. Starting last year this moved from the last Friday night in November to the last Sunday afternoon. I know that this caused people some concern when it was first announced, for there is always going to be the dillema of whether we as Churches should be being involved with Sunday trading. I've got to say though,

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-69658833423213394332009-11-14T08:11:00.003Z2009-11-14T08:14:45.167Z

For the first time this month, all exec papers have been sent by email ( by that I mean that we now have an email address for every exec member or at least a way of getting papers to them by email e.g via someone else )Please check that you have received them ( there should be 1 x 20 page report which includes all the reports you need to read beforehand and the previous minutes, 1x agenda for the

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-70193587139915048912009-11-14T08:05:00.005Z2009-11-14T08:10:31.654Z

St Katherine's is a separate parish, although it shares a vicar with St John's Frome. It's church was orignially built in 1714 ( by Lord Bath of the nearby Longleat estate, as many of his workers were villlagers ) and was conscreated nearly a hundred years later in 1811. In 1872 it became a separate parish, rather than a chapel of ease for St John's Frome. It was about this time that it underwent

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-36818895760762847892009-11-14T08:05:00.004Z2009-11-14T08:09:38.182Z

About £1700 has come in so far for the Archbishop's Fund for Zimbabwe. With Gift Aid that should top the £2000 which is double what we set out to raise !!!!Well done everyone. Any outstanding monies to Geoff Jackson as soon as possible please. USPG are most grateful and have said they are going to include some pictures in their next magazine. By the way another local Churches Together group has

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-34988827615180988302009-11-14T07:47:00.002Z2009-11-14T07:50:27.492Z

It's been two weeks since I got chance to blog. Work has been coming thick and fast ( thankfully ! ) and any spare time has been put into getting the paperwork sorted for the next FACT Exec on 23rd. As well as sorting carol singing, Lent courses and of course doing stuff at St Catharine's such as starting the process of organising our First Holy Communion programme. Hopefully I can use some time

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-70314994084885625312009-11-07T08:00:00.001Z2009-11-14T07:46:20.301Z

John Mason Neale - Anglican - Priest 24th January 1818 -6th August 1866 John Mason Neale was born in London in 1818, studied at Cambridge, and was ordained to the priesthood in 1842. He was offered a parish, but chronic ill health, which was to continue throughout his life, prevented him from taking it. In 1846 he was made warden of Sackville College, a position he held for the rest of his life.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-44454142469987923542009-10-31T14:56:00.002Z2009-10-31T15:05:06.369Z

The idea of celebrating a vigil on the eve of an important feast goes right back to the start of Christianity. Each Saturday night, the whole Christian community met together to pray and read scriptures and share fellowship together through the night in preparation for celebrating the day of Resurrection, which they did each and every Sunday. Today these vigils are confined to just the most

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-15535825264396006312009-10-31T14:55:00.000Z2009-10-31T14:55:47.994Z

Eric Liddel Minister Scottish Presbyterian Church 16 January 1902 – 21 February 1945 Eric Liddell, often called the "Flying Scotsman", was born in Tianjin (formerly transliterated as Tientsin)  in North China, second son of the Rev & Mrs James Dunlop Liddell who were Scottish missionaries with the London Missionary Society. Liddell was born in 1902 and went to school in China until the age of

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-24719995067459150472009-10-28T07:02:00.000Z2009-10-28T07:02:40.924Z

Each year, St John's Church hosts a Christmas card shop with a difference. Here you can get cards for a variety of charities. Although many of us are cutting down on the number of cards which we send locally ( I personally don't send to people I will see to wish a Merry Christmas in person ) and a lot of churches have a collective card for everyone to sign up to and give the money to charity,

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-83115417398730585032009-10-27T06:58:00.000Z2009-10-27T06:58:55.698Z

It shouldn't be a surprise that Norton St Philip's parish church is dedicated to St Philip the Apostle, nor should it surprise us that it is a joint dedication with St James, as these two are so often associated with each other. It is 13th Century in origin and was altered in the 19th Century by guess who ... yes Sir George Gilbert Scott. Another very nice tower dominates the church, and it

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-62616297236601519122009-10-25T07:23:00.003Z2009-10-25T07:54:57.592Z

Today is Bible Sunday in most churches ( typically we in the RC church celebrate the Bible on 2nd Sunday of Advent ! O well... )The Bible has been in the forefront of our minds as FACT in recent weeks for obvious reasons. One of the fruits of the marathon was the number of people who said "I must read more of that story" or " I realised I don't know as much of the Bible as I thought" We should

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-75179171230578281362009-10-25T07:23:00.000Z2009-10-25T07:23:05.599Z

Bible Sunday Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 30th Sunday in Ordinary Time Anglican - Nineteeth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 25 Today's liturgy of the Word is about healing and faith. It is clearly Bartimeaus' faith which leads to his healing. For us as FACT healing and issues surrounding it have very much been at the forefront of our minds for about 9 months as we wrestled with the Healing

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-53737667214824700372009-10-24T08:00:00.001+01:002009-10-24T08:00:03.034+01:00

Mary Slessor - Presbyterian- Lay woman and Missionary ( 2nd December 1848- 13th January 1915) Mary was born in Aberdeen and moved to Dundee at the age of 11 when her family was looking for work. Her father was an alcoholic who had to stop his work as a shoemaker and eventually became a mill labourer. Mary's mother ensured that she attended church and made her a half time worker at a jute mill,

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-62575149180008085552009-10-23T08:00:00.000+01:002009-10-23T08:00:08.792+01:00

Many of our churches and schools are involved in the Christmas Shoe Box appeals to bring presents to children in poorer countries. If your church isn't involved you might consider making up a gift shoebox and taking it along to one of churches which is. Two that I know are collecting are Wesley ( contact Jean Fraser ) and St John's ( contact Janet Caudwell ) There are rules on what can and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-13464875561681613952009-10-22T08:00:00.000+01:002009-10-22T08:00:00.591+01:00

For many years, FACT through the Holiday Bible Club has held "An Alternative to Halloween" party for children. At a recent exec meeting it was decided that the word alternative was wrong. After all Halloween is from All Hallows Eve and is therefore a Christian Festival ( albeit with links to earlier druidical ones ), so using the word alternative is belittling a Christian festival which has been

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-80725356506898910872009-10-21T17:29:00.001+01:002009-10-21T17:30:29.878+01:00

Today we look at the newest of our Church buildings. Built in 1968 to replace the 1928 church which now serves as the church hall. It is hexangonal in shape ( as were all ancient churches named after martyrs ) with a conical roof. This roof was originally see through ( and there were no other windows ) but it leaked terribly and had to be made solid. Further extention work was done in 1991,

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-46912471142351627712009-10-21T17:15:00.001+01:002009-10-21T17:16:05.884+01:00

After a hectic 6 weeks in FACT's life, the last couple have been relatively quiet with not much going on. Of course that's not true, FACT is like a swan, our joint public events are just the top part above the water, underneath are many sets of legs paddling away like mad. Plans are already in hand for events as far ahead as Lent 2010 ( and my particular brain is thinking about Pentecost 2010 and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-1068001636636039942009-10-17T18:28:00.000+01:002009-10-17T18:28:57.432+01:00

Each Saturday this blog brings you the lives of Christian Heroes from around the world. Today I want to celebrate 166 of Frome's own heroes - those who read in the Bible Reading Marathon : - Ann Burgess Christ Church CE David Brinn St Catharine’s RC Neil Maxted Christ Church CE Ross Frooms Christ Church CE Mandy Hulme St Katherine’s CE Alan Hawker Beckington CE Peter Price Bishop of

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-47608410672362832252009-10-13T08:00:00.000+01:002009-10-13T08:00:03.378+01:00

St Andrew's Mells has many things to recommend it to anyone interested in art and architecture. Dating from the late 15th Century with mid 19th century restoration, its tower is mid 16th Century. The tower ( 104ft high) contains a 17th Century clock and a peal of 8 bells. The earliest of these bells is from 1717 and they can be heard chiming out familiar hymn tunes. The church owes a lot of

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-47579269031082107262009-10-11T16:37:00.000+01:002009-10-11T16:37:29.769+01:00

At 10.35am this morning the 165th individual reader got to the end of Rev 21, leaving only Rev 22 for Ann Burgess to read at our United Worship. We did it !!!!! In nearly 300 slots of 15 we covered the whole Bible and we delayed the start of the news on BBC Radio Somerset so that they could cover the start of it all live on Thursday. A huge thank you to everyone. The great things for me were 1 )

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-73054766402359652482009-10-11T07:00:00.000+01:002009-10-11T07:00:02.051+01:00

Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 28th Sunday in Ordinary TimeAnglican - Seventeenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 23Job 23:1-9, 16-17 or Amos 5:6-7, 10-15 * Psalm 22:1-15 or Psalm 90:12-17 * Hebrews 4:12-16 * Mark 10:17-31Today's readings put into focus our views on personal possessions self sacrifice. There's nothing wrong with personal wealth, it's what we do with it that is important. For some

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-59586238420831210752009-10-10T08:00:00.004+01:002009-10-10T08:00:02.623+01:00

Donald Soper - Methodist - Minister (31 January 1903 – 22 December 1998) Donald Soper, the son of a marine claims adjuster and a schoolmistress, was born in Streatham on 31st January, 1903. His father, a devout Methodist was a Liberal and an active member of the Temperance Society. Donald's mother also held radical political ideas and was a supporter of the Women's Social & Political Union.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-78904653024425213332009-10-09T08:00:00.000+01:002009-10-09T08:00:03.099+01:00

Just a reminder that this Sunday 11th October is our annual morning United Worship. Many churches have made this their only worship for the day, and we are developing an understanding of why for some of us this is impossible ( its all part of the unity with diversity process)It all starts at 11am by which time we should be ready for the last bit of the Bible Marathon. We are going to ask the

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-37443789055446002442009-10-08T08:01:00.000+01:002009-10-08T08:01:00.394+01:00

Those words have just got us off to a flying start. The Bible Marathon has started !

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-79932718780108083782009-10-07T15:50:00.003+01:002009-10-07T15:58:53.891+01:00

There have been times when I felt we would never get there, but despite some last minute hitches and drop outs ( and some new recruits ! ) we are there. Its still not to late to sign up and if you're flexible then we should be able to get you a slot !Do come along and be there to listen if you can, you never know what you will hear and which parts of the Bible you might discover ! If you can come

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-47497338517394002462009-10-07T15:48:00.002+01:002009-10-07T15:50:42.343+01:00

Apologies that the aim of daily posts hasn't been kept up lately. Organising the Bible Marathon and other work has kept me from posting. It would be interesting to know how many people are regularly reading the blog and whether they find it useful as a tool for our ecumenical work.The normal order of posts has been distrupted but hopefully we will be back on course once this weekend is over.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-31781224710658429252009-10-07T10:35:00.008+01:002009-10-07T15:48:16.301+01:00

The first thing that you notice about St Mary's is the way the Church Hall links the church and the vicarage. Having been built as a unit, they are a handsome set together. The octagonal sancutary is beautifully and highly decorated and rounds this smallish church off well. It is outside that the distinctives style can be seen. Unusually there are two bells towers. Just above the sanctuary is

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-65416852829948296032009-10-04T07:00:00.001+01:002009-10-04T07:00:00.546+01:00

Climate Change SundayRoman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 27th Sunday in Ordinary TimeAnglican - Sixteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 22Job 1:1, 2:1-10 or Genesis 2:18-24 * Psalm 26 or Psalm 8 * Hebrews 1:1-4, 2:5-12 * Mark 10:2-16Today's Gospel ( and indeed the other readings ) might be seen as solely seen as a teaching on marriage and the Christian attitude towards it. However, here we are again

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-46217830549699657392009-10-03T19:36:00.002+01:002009-10-03T19:44:01.801+01:00

You will probably remember that last Advent, the proceeds of the FACT Advent service went to the Premananda Orphanage in Southern India, which St Catharine's supports. Little did we know that at the time of the service, the founder of the orphanage Fr Jojaih was being buried after suffering a heart attack. His co-founder Prof John James from Hawaii came with the bishop of the area to St

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-59240597299979348262009-10-03T19:30:00.005+01:002009-10-03T19:36:20.275+01:00

Its always good to hear about bigger projects where denominations are working together for the common good.Frome Friends of Palestine, are organising a talk about the Ecumenical Accompaniers Programme in Israel/Palestine. Sr Josephine ( who many in Frome will know as the former head of St Louis' School ) has been in the Middle East observing interactions between the Israeli army and civilians for

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-44929720108390527732009-10-03T19:30:00.000+01:002009-10-03T19:30:01.274+01:00

If you aren't already signed up, its not too late to sign up for the Bible Reading Marathon ( we will find you a slot somewhere ! ) or the Frome Clean Up ! See you leader, HOPEFrome rep, Exec rep or get in touch with me in the next couple of days. You won't regret it !

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-77396628464521440942009-10-03T08:00:00.006+01:002009-10-07T17:51:12.991+01:00

We've got three heroes this week, because two of them are linked together forever in memory of many in their home city and the ecumenical movement in this country as a whole ! David Sheppard - Anglican - Bishop (6 March 1929–5 March 2005)David Sheppard was one of those unusual people who were famous for more than one thing. An accomplished England Cricketer, whose career included being 1953

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-13120529966786288572009-10-01T07:38:00.000+01:002009-10-01T07:38:05.908+01:00

Well, after a wobble last weekend when it looked doubtful, we are just about there and only a few spots remain to be filled and "we are go for launch" Please still get in contact with me if you want to read ( we can find you a slot ) or will offer to do refreshments. If your not reading you can do your bit : - 1 ) Sponsor someone for reading 2 ) Attend and do some marshalling or refreshments

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-38678654850420717102009-09-29T08:00:00.001+01:002009-09-29T08:00:02.594+01:00

The church of All Saints Nunney was originally built in the 12th Century although it has undergone changes and renovations across the years, some welcome others not so welcome, including the roof which is now the subject of fundraising to return it to its original state. Amongst the unusual features that one will find in the church, are fragments of wall paintings, including one of St George.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-87652045246368618132009-09-28T18:37:00.004+01:002009-09-28T18:47:51.195+01:00

Lucien Taipedi - Anglican, Layman - c1921 to 21st July 1942Lucien Taipedi was born in around 1921, in New Guinea. His family had connections with sorcery Educated in a mission school he went onto become a teacher and evangelist. He along with many others were martyred during the escape from the invading Japanese forces in 1942. He was killed with an axe by a local tribesman, his companions by the

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-7519561563638251742009-09-27T07:30:00.000+01:002009-09-27T07:30:55.381+01:00

Back to Church Sunday Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 26th Sunday in Ordinary Time Anglican - Fifteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 21 Esther 7:1-6, 9-10; 9:20-22 or Numbers 11:4-6, 10-16, 24-29 * Psalm 124 or Psalm 19:7-14 * James 5:13-20 * Mark 9:38-50 Today's Liturgy of the Word could be seen as being downcast, the tone isn't exactly upbeat, an interesting challenge for preaching on Back

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-90933423132115260642009-09-25T22:44:00.001+01:002009-09-25T22:46:32.549+01:00

Hi, I didn't ever intend to use the Blog to say personal things from me, but I am going to do it just once ! I have done all I can to get the publicity and arrangements done for the Bible Marathon, it's taken hours and hours of work, and many have responded. It just seems that we are however going to fall short and its not worth doing if we can't do it how we intended, with the whole Bible read

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-7312771335396687882009-09-24T08:00:00.005+01:002009-09-24T08:00:01.520+01:00

We often bemoan the fact that our churches, aren't in general as full as they once were. That's not to say that new people aren't joining, because new people come to faith all the time. However we all know that lots of those who were regularly in the pews a few years ago, now are no where to be seen on a Sunday. There are lots of reasons for that, not least the secularisation of our society and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-33274898658313468322009-09-23T16:19:00.004+01:002009-09-23T16:40:00.321+01:00

It's not too late to come forward and help out HOPEFrome's efforts for the carnival. Janet Caudwell sent around some details of the arrangements. If you are free and haven't yet signed up. Here's how you can turn up on the day and help outSaturday 26 September11.00 am St John’s Forecourt (by the arch) to collect HOPEFrome vest and sell programmes2.00 pm Bandstand Victoria Park to collect

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-68612396487998601432009-09-23T10:48:00.000+01:002009-09-23T10:48:24.455+01:00

Holy Trinity Chantry is another church with an unusual and perhaps unique tower, which is octagonal in shape with a pinnacled tower containing a bell. The church was paid for with a generous donation of £8000 by James Fussell of Chantry House Consecrated in 1848 ( and designed by Gilbert Scott ) it is rightly described as architecural gem. Above the door of the porch is inscribed "Enter into

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-58269840907666211472009-09-20T07:53:00.000+01:002009-09-20T07:53:48.126+01:00

Home Mission Sunday Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 25th Sunday in Ordinary Time Anglican - Fourteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 20 Proverbs 31:10-31 or Wisdom of Solomon 1:16-2:1, 12-22 * Psalm 1 or Psalm 54 * James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a * Mark 9:30-37 Who is the greatest ? Its a trap that we may still fall into as Churches Together Groups. There are alsorts of ways in which this can happen "

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-36815458604970495882009-09-19T08:00:00.000+01:002009-09-19T08:00:00.724+01:00

One popular event ( and indeed an important one ) which FACT puts on regularly is a Teddy Bears' Picnic Service. This is mixture of play and prayer and is ably led by Jill Warren, at Wesley Methodist Church. Jill puts a lot of work into these events, and for that we are extremely grateful, considering that it is on top of all her other work. The majority of those who attend, are non-churchgoers

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-64455218647127801412009-09-18T18:22:00.000+01:002009-09-18T18:22:07.835+01:00

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Lutheran - Pastor 4th February 1906 - 9th April 1945Bonhoeffer was born into a wealthy family in Breslau. After studies and some time in the USA, he returned to Germany and was ordained a Lutheran Pastor. Right from days after Hitler's rise to power, he spoke out publicly in opposition to the regime. This led him to be involved in the setting up of The Confessing Church,

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-41158846430508934222009-09-18T11:50:00.002+01:002009-09-18T12:02:20.209+01:00

This coming Sunday is Home Mission Sunday in the RC Church. We are all called to be missionaries, and although we will not all go out and be what has been traditionally seen as missionaries abroad ( although of course there are many amongst our numbers in FACT churches who have done just that ! ) we are all called to serve as missionaries to our local communities and to all we meet. Christ's "Go

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-74308626492173961802009-09-18T11:49:00.000+01:002009-09-18T11:49:47.838+01:00

It was great to welcome everyone to the Exec last night. With some new members, it was indeed our most representativ, for some time, in terms of numbers and churches/denominations represented. AND we only went 3 minutes across the cut off time of 9.30pm !! Main Headlines: 1 ) Working group established to create links with World Sports Ministries 2 ) Fundraising for the Youth Worker Fund is

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-90014193001100604902009-09-16T20:19:00.000+01:002009-09-16T20:19:09.569+01:00

Please pray for your executive members as they meet tomorrow night. Lots of important decisions are needing to be made at the meeting, and we pray the Holy Spirit will be with us as we make them. If you haven't signed up for the Bible Reading Marathon please do so as we are short by quite a way for all the slots. It might help you to know that Bishop Peter Maurice will be reading at 10am

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-72270251787963720582009-09-15T08:00:00.000+01:002009-09-15T08:00:01.716+01:00

This week we look at perhaps one of the widest known of the churches in our area, because of its popularity as a wedding venue ! According to the CofE its the most popular church in the country for weddings, seeing over 100 during an average year. Set as it is on the Orchardleigh Estate, now one of the countries top wedding venues it comes with the "fairytale" setting of being on a lake edge with

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-64253558559110110182009-09-13T07:00:00.001+01:002009-09-13T07:00:00.920+01:00

Racial Justice Sunday Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Anglican - Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 17 Proverbs 1:20-33 or Isaiah 50:4-9a • Psalm 19 or Psalm 116:1-9 • James 3:1-12 • Mark 8:27-38 I'm preaching today at the Methodist Chapel in the village where I grew up in the North East. Its their chapel anniversary and I was specially asked to come and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-37694909456930082082009-09-12T08:00:00.002+01:002009-09-12T08:00:03.249+01:00

Martin Luther King Jr - Baptist, Pastor - Born January 15th 1929- Died April 4th 1968 Born the son of a Baptist Pastor, he gained the middle name after a family trip to Germany. He didn't formally graduate High School, but studied Theology and went on to get a PHd. He was made pastor of a Montgomery Alabama Baptist Church at the age of 25. His first major protest, which brought him to national

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-43265241045182895922009-09-11T08:00:00.001+01:002009-09-11T08:00:03.690+01:00

This coming Sunday is racial justice Sunday. In our area, we can sometimes feel that racial issues don't effect us much but we do have people of different ethnic minorities living in our town and area, and certainly the number of nationalities which we have present in our congregation at St Catharine's ( 26 at last count and going up all the time ! ) we do have a lot of people of different

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-59150843073864704162009-09-10T11:33:00.003+01:002009-09-10T11:42:42.505+01:00

Thanks to all who have offered help at the tent ( its not too late to help out, you could even just turn up and offer whoever is helping at that time )Health and Safety new rules gave Jill a headache on Monday and after consultation and discussion ( as I drove up to the CTE Forum, what a blessing mobiles can be ) we decided to serve only cold drinks. This is because it was too time consuming to

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-13515820571893576042009-09-10T11:17:00.002+01:002009-09-10T11:32:58.626+01:00

Please let Janet Caudwell know if you haven't already, names of those who can help with carnival. This is important, especially as this is the first time that we have helped this important town occasion. Last year the carnival commitee struggled to collect for charity ( one of its prime purposes ) because of lack of collectors. If you haven't yet signed up, please do so, even only part of the

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-28229026348404860042009-09-10T10:02:00.003+01:002009-09-10T10:10:30.945+01:00

Well I'm back from Swanwick and what was an amazing 3 days. I met people from Churches who I had never heard about, I took part in worship in styles I had never encountered and I learnt a lot about ecumenism and realised I had a lot more still to learn if I am to make the contribution to the movement I want to.There was a real sense that ecumenism has moved on leaps and bounds since CTE was

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-4933450427969759842009-09-10T09:51:00.005+01:002009-09-10T10:00:51.069+01:00

Nigel Done Rector of Hardington Group has sent an email with a story which I hope you will read and act as you feel moved to, either financially, with prayer or otherwise ( Contact Jill Warren or Nigel or myself for details of Bank account which has been set up: -Dear Friends,Last week our daughter Imogen (12) returned home from her firstday at school disappointed that her best friend, Chichi

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-72516300983843189672009-09-09T08:00:00.002+01:002009-09-10T09:50:51.923+01:00

Wesley Methodist Church is a prominent building for anyone approaching Frome. Situated as it is on the main road into Frome from Shepton Mallet, and being square in shape and different in style to all the buildings around it, it certainly stands out. Built in 1812, using some stone from the earlier chapel of 1779 where John Wesley himself preached. It was extensively restored in 1871. The

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-58187229153353014162009-09-08T08:13:00.002+01:002009-09-08T08:13:00.368+01:00

We might think that we are pretty diverse group of churches ( with all the joys and frustrations that brings ) but our situation of 8 different denominations is nothing compared with Churches Together in England where there are 30 different churches and Councils/Groups of churches. We could have a competition to see how many you could list but...here's the list. Antiochian Orthodox Church

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-42600350755736622282009-09-07T06:49:00.002+01:002009-09-07T06:49:00.323+01:00

Just as the FACT Chair is rotated amongst the leaders of the Churches, the Presidency of CTE is jointly held by Four Presidents, some of which are rotated. I thought it might be worth sharing with you who the Presidents are at the moment and a bit about their ministry. Rowan Williams - Anglican, Archbishop of Canterbury- Born 1950, he has been 104th Archbishop of Canterbury since 2002. He was

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-67972779689960621342009-09-06T07:00:00.012+01:002009-09-06T07:00:00.120+01:00

Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time Anglican - Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 17 Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23 or Isaiah 35:4-7a * Psalm 125 or Psalm 146 * James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17 * Mark 7:24-37 Jesus today heals the death mute in Mark's account. He commands the mans ears and mouth "Be opened" or in Arameic " Ephphatha". In the Catholic rite of Baptism

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-72177761277710560742009-09-06T07:00:00.011+01:002009-09-06T07:00:00.576+01:00

I'm preaching today and not for once preaching on the scripture we are hearing today. I'm using the theme of the Epistle of James, last week and next week instead and linking it in to the Feeding of the Five Thousand from a few weeks ago. St James tells us that "faith without good works" is no good. For some people of even the strongest faith, getting involved in anything more than Sunday

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-77775193945185108122009-09-05T08:00:00.000+01:002009-09-05T08:00:03.404+01:00

Janani Luwum - Anglican, Archbishop Born 1922 - Died 17th February 1977Born in Kitgum District of Uganda and converted to Christianity in 1948. In 1954 he was ordained a priest. He was consecrated bishop in 1961 and in 1966 became Archbishop of Uganda, Zaire, Rwanda and Burundi.A critic of the regime of Idi Amin from its start in 1971, in 1977 he delivered a not to the President complaining about

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-12814662498357294532009-09-04T08:00:00.002+01:002009-09-04T08:00:01.233+01:00

You should get some emails from me today with your documentation for the exec meeting on 17th September at URC. Please check your emails and read the contents. Some of the reports are more lists of questions for you to consider- feel free to discuss them with your congregations so that you can bring their ideas to the meeting. Don't forget to chase people to come forward to help at the things

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-75075700574646976452009-09-03T08:00:00.000+01:002009-09-03T08:00:02.053+01:00

I mentioned earlier in the week, the Swanwick Declaration of 1987. What was it? It was published in a blaze of publicity and meant to be the blueprint for all that we do ecumenically. It was published at exactly this time that I became involved in the Ecumenical movement. Actually that’s not true, coming from a mixed Methodist/Catholic household, I had always been ecumenical without realising it.

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-63229476348118407962009-09-02T08:00:00.000+01:002009-09-02T08:00:00.587+01:00

I'm on home turf today, with the church in my own village. This church is unusual in many ways, not least its age. Built originally in the 13th Century it was the lay brothers chapel for the Carthusian Friary from which the village takes its name. The lay brothers were an important part of the Carthusian order, not taking vows but living the monastic life. The monastery was built as part of Henry

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-60690527884006188812009-09-01T08:00:00.001+01:002009-09-01T08:00:10.320+01:00

Next week I'm off to the Churches Together in England Forum. Its a 3 day conference which happens every three years, when reps from all the member churches get together to discuss issues which effect us all and to share experiences. I'm there as a representative of the Catholic Bishops of England and Wales, and feel really priveliged to be given this honour and chance to be involved in ecumenism

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-68780000261240986522009-08-31T07:44:00.002+01:002009-08-31T07:44:00.268+01:00

Martin Weymont responded straight away when I asked if I could have dates for possible visits to share worship with the different congregations on the FACT area. He sent me a plan for Mells Group ( which in itself is a feet of organisation, allowing through use of lay readers, retired clergy and visiting leaders, a service every Sunday in each of the 5 Churches of the group ) and I found that

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-12577784366068368852009-08-30T07:00:00.002+01:002009-08-30T07:41:31.223+01:00

Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 22nd Sunday in Ordinary Time Anglican - Thirteenth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 17 Song of Solomon 2:8-13 or Deuteronomy 4:1-2, 6-9 * Psalm 45:1-2, 6-9 or Psalm 15 * James 1:17-27 * Mark 7:1-8, 14-15, 21-23 Today we get back to the Year of Mark, after our Summer detour into John ( what a pity that this fantastic passage and one of the few which is read year in

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-36239190421504807472009-08-29T07:42:00.006+01:002009-08-29T08:12:40.716+01:00

Maximilian Kolbe - Roman Catholic, Priest - born 8th January 1894, died in Auschwitz Concentration Camp 14th August 1941Maximilian Kolbe was a Polish priest who was ordained in 1918. He spent time working in the newly independent Poland after ordination. Between 1930 and 1936 he worked as a missionary in Nagasaki, Japan. He built a monastery on a mountainside. He choose ( against advice ) a side

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-42056193338531605822009-08-29T07:41:00.004+01:002009-08-29T07:41:00.274+01:00

When I was growing up, there was a programme ( I believe it was only shown in North-East England ) presented by Eric Robson ( of Gardener's Question Time, when he was a local news journalist ) called "Heroes". In it local celebrities talked about their heroes and why they were important to them.The Christian Community has always had ways of celebrating its own heroes. The early church soon began

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-11421718522535993172009-08-28T07:36:00.001+01:002009-08-28T07:36:00.570+01:00

There are lots of chances to volunteer to help with inter-church projects in the months ahead, and quite a few of them need you to sign up during the next month. Please, please look at the list and then choose one or more to sign up for. Your help is really needed and the more people who offer their services, the less work there is for everyone. If you don't know who to contact with regard to any

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-19607783701375729212009-08-27T08:00:00.001+01:002009-08-27T08:00:03.301+01:00

Many of the FACT leadership team got together last night for a social evening at mine. It was a chance for us to get together as clergy/leaders and socialise, without a business agenda to do ! It was also good to do it with our spouses and families, when they do so much for us in practical and support terms. We often forget that behind our leaders are often families and spouses who are doing lots

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-90229469094307364032009-08-26T08:00:00.003+01:002009-08-26T08:00:03.593+01:00

The first thing which strikes you as you come towards the village of Leigh on Mendip ( from some distance in fact ) is the unusual Church tower. It rises 91 feet up above the village and has a decorated facade. Contained within it are 6 bells ( first hung 1757) and these form part of the unusual feature of a faceless clock. No dial is visible and the only indication of the time is the striking of

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-10396268968405032392009-08-25T20:16:00.002+01:002009-08-25T20:26:46.077+01:00

Looking for an afternoon out on Sunday? Why not pop along to St Katharine's East Woodlands. They will be serving cream teas all afternoon followed by a "Songs of Praise" in the Church. A chance for temporal and spiritual enjoyment all in one afternoon !

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-29908409039900753012009-08-25T08:00:00.002+01:002009-08-25T11:56:46.636+01:00

I admit it, I'm sad and have too much time on my hands ( Sam would disagree and say I am excellent at finding stuff to do if it means I don't do housework ! ) but last week I sat down and created a poster to be used in our churches to advertise who the exec member is ( and to remind people that their congregation is part of FACT and that FACT initiatives apply to them ! ) and to publicise this

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-72324305525496209432009-08-24T08:00:00.005+01:002009-08-24T08:00:03.227+01:00

There's a (perhaps made up) Chinese saying, which could be seen as either a blessing or a curse "May you live in interesting times". For many church communities within the FACT group these are indeed interesting times, perhaps even uncertain times. David Barge recently pointed out to me that with Graham taking up post Holy Trinity, the Anglican Deanery is at full strength clergy wise, and

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-32732889659346333772009-08-23T07:47:00.001+01:002009-08-23T07:58:41.281+01:00

Roman Catholic/Methodist/URC - 21st Sunday in Ordinary TimeAnglican - Twelfth Sunday After Pentecost, Proper 161 Kings 8:(1,6,10-11), 22-30, 41-43 or Joshua 24:1-2a, 14-18 * Psalm 84 or Psalm 34:15-22 * Ephesians 6:10-20 * John 6:56-69We are at the end today of the long discourse in John 6, which began with the feeding of the five thousand. This is a difficult passage to discuss ecumenically, as

Frome Area Christians Together Chairhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18425468239662452050noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7710000067738704073.post-71624962148960730672009-08-22T20:27:00.000+01:002009-08-22T20:27:14.919+01:00

Today, 7 Christians drawn from several different churches started up this ministry. Edmund  has just emailed to say that he and the and team had a good day and after a prayer session amongst themselves they began, and despite fears that they might take a couple of sessions to get anyone to take up their offer... This morning in just a couple of minutes two of our chairs were occupied and a pair

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