Below is a list of letters from the rectory published in each copy of the Milborne Port Magazine. Just click on any title in the list below to see a summary and a link to the full letter in PDF format.
A Letter from Rev Rona January 2025
I write this in storm Darragh, uncertain of the damage occurring, but you read it as we step into this New Year, 2025. As always, we do so with hearts that are perhaps a little weary.
A Letter from our Churchwardens December 2024
In the Christian Church our focus in December is Advent. It’s the beginning of a new church year and a season of expectation and preparation, as we prepare to celebrate the birth (adventus) of Christ.
A Letter from Rev Stuart November 2024
Someone asked me recently, “Are you the new priest who’s just retired here?” Well, 37 years on from my ordination I hardly qualify as a new priest. And since we retired here from Surrey 32 months ago, ‘newcomers’ probably isn’t the most accurate description of our status.
A Letter from Our Churchwardens October 2024
Harvest Festivals have been important events in country churches for hundreds of years. A chance for the community to get together and to give thanks for the work of our farmers who work tirelessly through the year. This year the Harvest Service at St. John’s is on Sunday October 6th
A Letter from Rev Rona September 2024
Welcome to a new year! Well…a new year for all teachers, and students in full time education. Welcome to September. I wonder what this month means for you? Harvest Festival? Buying back to school supplies, wonderfully empty beaches again, increased morning traffic, or the treadmill of another school term?
A Letter from Rev Rona August 2024
In May the UK recognised Dementia Awareness week. You may have seen adverts or programmes relating to it. As an Inclusive Church, something which has been voted on by our PCCs, the needs and care of every single person is our paramount concern. Somerset is statistically the county with the oldest population in the UK, and this is certainly something we experience in Church attendance.
A Letter from Rev Rona July 2024
“It’s been a good year for the roses,” sang George Jones, and then perhaps more memorably Elvis Costello. Gardeners might tell you it’s been a good year for lots of flowers – my lupins, Astrantia and foxgloves are particularly healthy.
Letter from the Rectory June 2024
Welcome to June! It’s one of the best months in this country with the natural world reminding us of its beautiful presence all around us.
Letter from the Rectory May 2024
A few creative folk have been talking to an artist who is also a priest in the Bath and Wells Diocese about a creative project. The idea is to use themes and stories from Milborne Port and its residents, and to display these creatively in the Church.
A Letter from Rev Rona April 2024
As gardens and allotments awake in Springtime, I wanted to turn our thoughts to the humble trellis. Why? Well, Richard Carter in his excellent book Letters from Nazareth, a Contemplative Journey Home explains the spirit of prayer using the image of a trellis. I highly recommend this book, which is a beautiful collection of letters written about all aspects of Richard’s life of faith.
Letter from Rev Rona March 2024
The month of March begins with St David’s Day, deep into Lent, and it ends on the glorious Easter Sunday, 31st March. In the middle, Mothering Sunday, Holy Week, and the schools beginning their Easter Holidays. What a lot in one month; it reminds me of the Crowded House single – ‘Four seasons in one day’. Just as with the month of March, so those reading this may be in very different places.
Letter from the Rectory February 2024
And now for something completely different…
Lent 2024: Reading the Psalms using The Message Translation
The Psalms have, for millennia, formed the bedrock of liturgy. They are full of wisdom for life, inspiration, cries of anguish, joy, and they display an ongoing, real relationship with our loving Creator.
For millennia, monks and nuns, cathedrals and other faithful people have recited the Psalms every day. Cathedrals will still say or sing all 150 Psalms every month. Years ago, some of the monasteries said all 150 each DAY!
A Letter from Canon Brian January 2024
The singing of Christmas Carols this Christmas was for me both comforting and disturbing. Those of us who have been embedded in the faith from the time of our baptism until Christmas 2023 are deeply moved and comforted when we sing the words “Yea, Lord we greet thee born this happy morning.” However the words “Peace on earth” sung against the background noise of the wars in Ukraine, Israel and Gaza, these wars in the land of Jesus, the Holy Land, unsettled me.
Letter from Rev Frank December 2023
The world has opened up to me. Yesterday I was fitted with two hearing aids which I am getting used to. When my ear itches I go to scratch it but find that it is full of plastic. I have discovered that the clock ticks, that scratching my head makes a row, that I can no longer pretend not to hear my wife asking me to do something. I can proudly answer the real question and not the one I think I heard.
Letter from the Rectory November 2023
A visiting friend recently commented on how friendly this community is. It can be nice to be reminded of that, particularly when we are so used to living in a place.