Week Commencing 1 March
Welcome to the week's Worship Weekly
Welcome to the Worship Weekly.
I am not around next week. This copy covers the two week period starting Sunday 1 March, including the week beginning Sunday 8 March, up to Mothering Sunday on Sunday 15 March.
Sunday 1 March is St David’s day, the Patron Saint of Wales. St David is also the Patron Saint of vegetarians and poets. Daffodils and leeks to the ready; daffodils to wave and leeks to eat.
Upcoming Sunday Services
This Sunday, at 08.00, Demelza Henderson will lead the Morning Prayer Service.
At 09.30 Heidi Budden will lead the Journey Service on the subject ‘Can God Help Me Find a Loyal Friend?’
On Sunday 8 March, at 08.00, Gillian Hoskins will lead the Morning Prayer Service.
At 09.30 Ian Pusey will lead the Holy Communion Service.
On Sunday 15 March, at 08.00, Benedict Cambridge will lead the Holy Communion Service.
At 09.30, Benedict Cambridge will lead the Journey Service on the subject ‘Can God Help Me see God in the small things?’
News & Events
Bianka Speidl returning to Hungary
At the 09.30 Service last Sunday, our friend, neighbour and congregant, Bianka Speidl, gave the following wonderful speech to the congregation as she prepared to return to her native Hungary. Bianka will be much missed by all who knew her in Lympstone and east Devon. Go well, Bianka, God speed and Happy Landings!
Dear Community, dear Father John,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to say a few words as I take my leave of Lympstone and return to the continent.
Last Sunday, when we heard the story of the Transfiguration, Peter's words resonated with me deeply: "It is good for us to be here." It is good for me to be here — this is something I found myself saying to God often over these past two and a half years, assuring Him that I was more than willing to stay, should He agree. From the very first moment I arrived in Lympstone in August 2023, I dreaded the thought of leaving. I remember that on my very first walk from my new home towards the Estuary, I stopped at the church — which, to my great surprise, was open — and felt immediately at home: a place where the dignity of history, the beauty of artistic creation inspired by the Holy Spirit, and the warmth of community are always present.
I carry many beautiful memories with me: the two Easters I spent here, the choir rehearsals, learning the traditional Anglican hymns with Wendy's and Allan's encouragement and enthusiasm, the courses and discussions organised by Peter and Richard, the prayer groups, and the life testimonies at the Lent lunches. This church, this community, and the breathtaking nature of the Jurassic coastline have shown me the soul of Britain at its finest and most enduring.
To hold onto a small piece of this experience, my mother set the sound of the church bell as her ringtone — so now it reaches me in the most unexpected moments, even on the underground in Budapest.
The days we dread always come, and so it is for me now. And yet, God listened to my prayers — even if He did not follow my suggestion of letting me "pitch my tent" indefinitely. At some point, I stopped asking to remain and began asking instead to be led where I am most needed. I came to understand something I had once read: that true happiness lies not in what life offers us, but in what we offer to life. I have received so much here — and so I now have much to give.
My time in Lympstone has been reinvigorating and transformative. Thank you for sharing your stories with me, and for welcoming me and my mother with such warmth and generosity. This experience will stay with me always, as a source of strength, comfort, and hope.
I ask you to remember me, my mother, and my country in your prayers — as I will always keep you in mine.
Lots of love and a warm hug
Bianka
Requests for Prayers to be said – A message from Chris Kleinstuber
If you would like prayers to be said during a Sunday service and/or at the Thursday Prayer Group for a friend or relative needing prayer, please send an email to PrayersLymCh@excc.church. Alternatively, those who don’t want to email can post a message in the Prayer Requests Box at the Church entrance using the supply of cards attached to the box. In both instances, please include your name so that we can verify the request.
If you would prefer prayers to be said privately, rather than in the services, please request the prayers to be said at the Thursday Prayer Group ONLY. Prayers said in this meeting are confidential and will be said every Thursday while the group feels it is still necessary. If you have any questions or feel you would like to join the group, please speak to Chris Kleinstuber, who leads the Prayer Group each Thursday at 4 p.m. in the Lady Chapel.
Bobbi Brunt Memorial Service
A reminder that after the Mothering Sunday service on Sunday 15th March, at 12.00 noon, there will be a Memorial Service to remember and celebrate the life of Bobbi Brunt, a long-time Lympstone resident and congregant who died in January.
New Church Buildings Officer (PCC)
We welcome our new Church Buildings Officer, James Halse, who takes over the role from Ian Stratford.
Ian has done a tremendous job in supporting the Church (literally and spiritually!) during his tenure as CBO and we extend our heartiest of thanks to him for his dedication, time and stamina in undertaking the role.
We also say thank you to for James for stepping-up to the position and wish him the very best during his tenure.
Lent Lunches
Lent Lunches have started! They take place at 12.30 each Thursday at the back of the Church for the duration of Lent. There are lovely occasions; sharing a simple soup, bread, cheese and fruit lunch with friendly people, and the chance to have a chat and meet new people. They are NOT only for church-goers, but for the whole community, so if you do come, bring along a friend or neighbour who doesn’t get the Worship Weekly for a spot of simple lunch. Tell them that they won’t be preached at, but they will have a good time!
Mission Community Lent Course @ Lympstone Church - Thursday 19th February for seven weeks - 19.00-20.30
Richard Scott and Peter Watsham have started the Lent Course for the wider Mission Community this Lent. This course is a Lectio 365 course and is a wonderful way of collective studying, reflecting and preparing for the Lenten Period.
Come along, enjoy the peace, enjoy the talk, enjoy the spirituality!
There is a brilliant video that sets the scene for the course. Please click on the link below to watch it:
https://lectio365.com/desertresources/
The course will take place over seven weeks starting on Thursday 19 February.
Please contact Richard or Peter via email for further information about the series of course sessions:
Richard: rosandrichard@btinternet.com
Peter: peter@watsham.org
A Quiet Morning for Lent - Wednesday 4 March 10.00 to 13.00 @ Lympstone Church
Led by Demelza Henderson, this morning of quiet prayer and reflection will be focused on the Seven Last Words of Jesus from the Cross. The morning will include worship, meditative readings and music, with plenty of time for your own silent prayers and/or creative prayer activities.
Open Parochial Church Council (PCC) Meeting - Wednesday 25th March @ Lympstone Church – 19.00 start
At 19.00 on Wednesday 25 March, there is an open PCC meeting at the Church, Lympstone. All are invited to attend. There is much going on with the Mission Community at the moment and it should be an interesting meeting.
A Message from Eve Burns, Brixington Community Church
Calling all musicians
As churches in the same community, I feel it is important for us to work together to overcome the problems that all of us are facing.
A great way to do this is with the sharing of skills and resources: with that in mind, I have created a Facebook group called "Christian musicians/Worships leaders Exmouth and area" in which we, collectively as worshipers in Exmouth, can share resources and skills with one another as needs arise. It is also a great space for us to be social and get to know one another. The community has now grown and we are running our first relaxed Christian musicians Exmouth first jam session/meet and greet. https://fb.me/e/7KfGh97nn
This is open to any musicians, not just those leading worship on a Sunday. Details are as follows: Saturday 25 April, 3-5pm @ Brixington Community Church in Exmouth.
It will be a great opportunity for new musicians to build confidence, and for more experienced musicians to have fellowship, and have some time to relax and enjoy making music together without the usual pressures of a Sunday morning.
Eve Burns, Brixington Community Church
https://www.facebook.com/groups/2124332441663679/?ref=share
What do YOU want on Weekly Worship?
Weekly Worship will always have details of the upcoming services at Lympstone Church and details of future events.
But it is your, the Parishioners and Congregants, weekly newsletter too and I would like to hear from you about what you would also like to see, or any suggestions for future content for Worship Weekly.
Please do contact me adminLymCh@excc.church
