NOTES FROM THE CHURCH PORCH
from Churchwardens Evy Sayer and Christopher Meynell               

For past Church Porch messages go to the Bergh Apton Magazine Archive and go to the relevant issue  

The Big Event

This is a great big thank you to all those from close by and afar who helped Maria Phillips & Shirley Rimmer with the church’s part in the Trail. The involvement of many ensured that visitors were welcomed and made to feel part of the family. So, thank you.
In the church they found sculptures and flowers and the new lighting and layout. There were so many really positive comments about the church, how well cared for and loved it appears and appreciation of the welcome area layout. It all shows a real sense of community and commitment and pride.

Balance Service

The finale celebrations for the Trail’s completion started with the church service and ended with the fireworks. A first at a Bergh Apton service was the performance in the church by a juggler - Timo. He was at the door to welcome arrivals and later to bid them farewell. He roller skated, juggling as he went down the aisle, wearing a split globe with flowers peering forth on either side of a sun (his face) stabbed by numerous syringes to indicate the health of the population – all this balanced decorously on his head. He led in and led out the Bishop of Thetford and the Rector. Was this the first time the Bishop had been juggled??
The theme of the service was picking up the earth’s balance – the Churches Music Group played tunes old and new including the great Pete Seeger song ‘Turn, Turn, Turn’ taken from the book of Ecclesiastes. Well done to the soloists Mary Fewster and Joanna Knight.
And the Bishop used many of the wishes written out in the Woodland as the foundation for his sermon – many of which expressed the need for Balance in relationships, personal and national, Balance in the world and Balance in man’s handling of the environment. He also highlighted anxieties about Zimbabwe – an especially poignant point with Hilary Manuhwa, the Zimbabwean sculptor (one of the service’s readers), sitting in front of him. The other reader was Rachael Long, a Norfolk based sculptor.
The Peace Candle was lit by Derek Blake, Shirley Rimmer read the Song of Balance and Francis Meynell the special prayers for the occasion.

Farewell to The Revd. Wendy Shaw 

After what seems to be a very brief tenure as one of the curates to the Thurton Benefice, with especial responsibility for Bergh Apton, Wendy Shaw is moving on. Geographically not very far,  but to develop a new and exciting line of Christian worship – through creativity and the arts. Whilst she has been with us at Bergh Apton she has introduced new ideas using arts as a prayer medium, culminating in the Easter Art Experience in 2007 and the publication of the small book of photographs of the pieces created by the village.
Wendy will be missed. She helped and enabled the development of many whose paths she crossed.
So, thank you Wendy. We all wish you every success with the Rockland project  - 'Burning Bush - praying with a visual voice'. For information see www.burningbushbarn.co.uk

FUTURE EVENTS

Sunday 3rd August – 9.30am  Pet’s Service
Saturday 9th August  7.30pm Ben Dudgeon will retell St Luke’s Gospel as from the cell of a death-row prisoner in a US Jail. This is a real must experience evening.
Ben is Ba Stevens grandson, and has a burgeoning career as a professional actor.
Tickets will be £5 either in advance from 550119 or at the door. Refreshments will be available.
Open churches week - 2nd-10th August
Norfolk Churches Cycle ride  -  Saturday 8th Sept. . This great annual event takes place to give everyone an excuse to take exercise, to see some of our beautiful churches in the area and, through sponsorship, to raise funds for your local
Church.
Churchyard Working party Saturday 6th September  -  09.30
Please note this in your diaries - Your help would really be appreciated.
The Salvation Army in concert Friday 14th September - 19.30. The Norwich Citadel Band returns to Bergh Apton, following their great success last year. 2007 is important for them – It is the 250th anniversary of Charles Wesley – one of the great English hymn writers (amongst other things). Come and let your hair down and blow out your vocal chords – the Band is brilliant for a really good hymn-a-long. Book early for Tickets £5, to include refreshments, from Dennis Moye 01508 550396 or from Bergh Apton Shop, Green Pastures, Hellington Corner & Aldis Farm Shop, Framingham Earl.
Harvest Festival  28th September. Harvest and pot luck lunch