Rejoice, the year upon its way

Has brought again that blessèd day

When on the Church by Christ our Lord

The Holy Spirit was outpoured.

1.  Today is Whit Sunday, the Feast of Pentecost. We extend a special welcome today to members of the HMS Collingwood Association, who will be attending the Abbey’s Parish Eucharist. 

2.  Other special guests and special services in the next few weeks include the following: 

Sunday 26 May, 9.30 am: iconographer John Coleman will attend the Abbey’s Parish Eucharist for Trinity Sunday, at which his Icon of St Aldhelm will be hallowed. This has been commissioned by Bernard Stawt in memory of his late wife, Christian. It is intended that the icon will be affixed to the north wall of the Lady Chapel, once the necessary permission has been obtained. 

Sunday 2 June, 6.30 pm: a special Evensong to mark the 60^th Anniversary of the Coronation of HM The Queen. The Lessons will be read by the Lord-Lieutenant and Mr Jeremy Pope, who was High Sheriff of Dorset until last month. 

Sunday 23 June, 6.30 pm: the Abbey’s Evensong will be attended by members of the local RAF Association, for the laying-up of their old standard and the dedication of a new one. 

Sunday 30 June, 10.30 am: Richard Wyld will be ordained to the diaconate at Salisbury Cathedral as our new stipendiary assistant curate. His wife Ruth will be ordained with him as assistant curate of the Queen Thorne benefice. Then at 5.00 pm the Abbey’s Patronal Festival will be celebrated with a Festal Evensong followed by a party on the Abbey Close. Please note the earlier time. Richard and Ruth will each read a lesson, and the preacher will be the new Rector of Queen Thorne, The Reverend Vivian Enever. I have invited him to bring members of his six churches with him, so nearer the time I will be asking for offers of finger food and sandwiches! 

3. A Book of Condolence is at the back of the Abbey in memory of Olympic gold-medallist yachtsman Andrew ‘Bart’ Simpson, who lived in Sherborne with his wife Leah and young sons Freddie and Hamish. All are most welcome to sign the book and leave a comment.   

4. Do remember to visit the new exhibition in the Abbey ambulatory. Entitled Creation: a Celebration, it comprises 42 panels of embroidery, painting and mixed-media by Sue Symons. Sponsored by the Bible Society, the panels are inspired by the Book of Genesis and its accounts of creation. To quote from the official leaflet about the exhibition, ‘the art is rich in detail, vitality and even humour, helping viewers to reconnect with the natural world through a blend of historic and contemporary artistry.’ The exhibition is open until 14 June. I do hope you will visit it. There is no charge, but donations to offset the cost of bringing it to Sherborne will be welcome.

There is also a large and lavishly illustrated book to accompany Creation: a Celebration.  It is available at the Abbey Shop for £25.00. My thanks go to members of our Faith & Arts Group for arranging the exhibition. 

5. The first of this term’s Insight Lectures will be held this Wednesday, 22 May, at 7.30 pm in the Church Hall. It is entitled The Old Testament – Do we need it? The lecturer will be Dr John Bimson of Trinity College, Bristol. This is followed on Wednesday 19 June by War in the Old Testament, by Dr Casey Strine of Oriel College, Oxford. The third lecture this term is to be given by Bishop Michael Nazir-Ali, on the theme of God and Allah: Muslim-Christian Encounters.  

Tickets for the lectures cost £4 each, or £10 for all three. They are available now from the Parish Office or £5 on the door. In addition, this term’s Christian Education Programme has details of our Summer Schools in July and August. Or you can visit our new education website: www.insight.sherborneabbey.com 

6. Mike Keatinge, who chairs the Sherborne Transport Action Group, has received the following communication from Dorset County Council: ‘The A352 will be closed once again, but this time south of the A3030 junction to the Leweston junction for resurfacing works from 3rd June 2013 to 12th June 2013 between 0900hrs and 1600hrs.’ This means long detours for anyone driving between Sherborne and Longburton. There is a copy of the road closure notice in the Parish Office. The closure only applies to weekdays. 

The County Council’s website has this additional information: ‘A locally signed diversion route will be put in place to enable traffic to travel around the closed section. The diversion route from the southern end of the closure will follow the A352, south to Dorchester, A35 to Stinsford Roundabout; take the 1st exit onto the B3150. Turn right at the junction with the B3143, continuing north along the B3143 to the junction with the A3030. Turn left onto the A3030, and continue westbound to the junction with the A352. Turn left and continue south to the northern end of the closure. The reverse route applies.’ Have fun!