The Coker Ridge Weekly Newsletter

Closworth, East Chinnock, East Coker, Hardington Mandeville, Pendomer, Sutton Bingham & West Coker

Sunday 7th April 2024

Second Sunday of Easter
Saint Brynach was a 6th-century Welsh saint. He is
traditionally associated with Pembrokeshire, where
several churches are dedicated to him.
A 12th-century account of Brynach's life states that
sometime in the early 6th century, Brynach travelled
to Rome and Brittany, and then on to Milford Haven.
He erected various oratories near the
rivers Cleddau, Gwaun, and Caman and at the foot
of Mynydd Carningli (translated as 'Mountain of the Angels'), which
was his most famous foundation. This monastery founded by
Brynach was at present-day Nevern (in Welsh, Nanhyfer). The land
was given to him by the local lord, Clether, who retired to Cornwall.
Brynach was harassed by King Maelgwn of Gwynedd for a while, until
he wrought miracles and the two came to terms. Saint Brynach died
on 7 April, on which day his feast is celebrated. His church, beside
the River Nevern, is his lasting memorial.
The "Life of St Brynach" portrays him as something of a wild fellow in
his youth but very virtuous after his conversion. The descriptions of
his adventures (including amorous and ghostly encounters) display a
degree of humour unusual in the writers of saintly lives.

Dedications of churches to Brynach in Pembrokeshire include

Nevern, Dinas Cross, Llanfyrnach, Henry's Moat and Pontfaen.
In Carmarthenshire there are Llanboidy and a chapel in Llanddarog,
and there are scattered dedications
in Glamorgan, Brecknockshire and Monmouthshire.
The distribution of these is similar to that of Ogham stones in south
Wales, and defines a distinct Irish-influenced province that existed in
the Age of the Saints in the History of Wales.

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Our church buildings are open for private prayers, and reflection.
East Coker, West Coker, Pendomer, Hardington, East Chinnock and
Sutton Bingham churches are open every day.

Prayer to use during our Vacancy.

God our Father You have welcomed each one of us in Jesus
and called us to be His Body in this place;
Send us your Holy Spirit, at this time of uncertainty and change,
to fill us with vision, energy, and faithfulness in prayer, that we may
be true to our calling to bring new life to our community;
And guide with your heavenly wisdom those who are to choose a
new Incumbent for this parish / benefice, that the one who we
receive may be a wise and gentle shepherd of your people: ready to
serve us with joy, to build us up in faith, and to lead us by example in
loving obedience to your son, our Saviour, Jesus Christ. Amen.

The Departed
Please remember in your prayers the following people who have
died recently and are united with our Lord in Glory:
Julie Riley, Raymond Duley, Dave Prosser, Mr Ron Haynes and Paul
Shepperd.
A Poem for those who mourn:
God of love and mercy, embrace all those
whose hearts today overflow with grief,
unanswered questions and such a sense of loss.
Grant them space to express their tears.
Hold them close through the coming days. Amen
Churches in the Coker Ridge Benefice are committed to safeguarding all
people. If you have any concerns about the welfare of a child or adult at risk,
please speak to our Safeguarding Officer, Mick Collins on 01935 863129 or
Sue Phillips on 01935 862866.

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 Benefice Prayer
Almighty and everlasting God,
by whose Spirit the whole body of the Church
is governed and sanctified:
hear our prayer which we offer for the Coker Ridge Benefice,
that we may discern the vocations and ministries
of individuals and parishes so bringing us together
that we may serve you in holiness and truth,
to the glory of your name;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen

ADVANCE NOTICE - CONCERTS IN ST ROCH, PENDOMER 2024

Some dates for your diary:
1. 7.30 pm Friday June 14th. Gregory Steward, tenor, returns for
another recital this year, songs by Verdi, Schubert, Fauré and Ivor
Novello.
2. 7.30 pm Saturday July 27th. Speranza are a group of musicians
based in Chard who will give a recital of chamber music for violin,
viola, flute and cello.
3. 3 pm Sunday September 8th. The Mēla classical guitar quartet.
For programme details see www.concertsinthewest.org where
you can also book tickets.For more details, tickets etc please
contact robinsheila@icloud.com 01935 862339

The Coker Ridge Benefice Weekly Lectionary

Date Day, Festival / Morning Prayer Holy Communion Evening Prayer
Liturgical Memorial & Readings Readings Readings
Week Colour
Sunday 2nd Sunday of Psalm 22. 20- Acts 4. 32-35; Psalm 85;
7th April Easter (W) 31; Isaiah 53. Psalm 133; 1 John Wisdom of
6-12; Romans 1. 1-2.2; John 20. Solomon 9. 1-12;
4. 13-25. 19-end Galatians 4.1-5.
Sunday 3rd Sunday of Psalm 77.11- Acts 3.12-19; Psalm 142;
14th Easter (W) 20; Isaiah 63.7- Psalm 4; 1 John Deuteronomy
April 15; 1 3.1-7; Luke 7.7-13; Revelation
Corinthians 10. 24.36b-48. 2.1-11.
1-13.

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 Coker Ridge Benefice Church and Online Services/Events:
Date Time Parish Service Led By
7th April 10:00 East Chinnock Church HC JO
11:00 Sutton Bingham Church BCP MP CV
11:00 West Coker Church MP Lay
14th April 09:15 Closworth Church BCP JR
09:45 Pendomer Church FS – Also via Zoom Lay
11:00 East Coker Church MP JC
11:00 Hardington Church HC CRK
11:00 West Coker Church FS Lay
17:00 East Chinnock Evening Prayer Lay
21st April 08:00 West Coker Church BCP CJO
09:45 Pendomer Church HC also via Zoom CRK
09:45 East Chinnock Village Hall Café Church Lay
11:00 West Coker Church HC CJO
18:00 East Coker Church ES Lay
24th April 11:00 East Chinnock Home HC CRK
28th April 09:45 Pendomer Church FS also via Zoom Lay
10:30 Hardington Church FS Lay
11:00 East Coker Church HC RRK
11:00 West Coker Church MW Lay
18:30 Closworth Church Evensong Lay
5th May 10:00 East Chinnock Church HC CRK
11:00 Sutton Bingham Church BCP TBC
11:00 West Coker Church MP Lay
12th May 09:15 Closworth Church BCP tbc
09:45 Pendomer Church FS – Also via Zoom Lay
11:00 East Coker Church MP JC
11:00 Hardington Church HC JO
11:00 West Coker Church FS Lay
17:00 East Chinnock Evening Prayer Lay
19th May 09:45 Pendomer Church HC also via Zoom JO
09:45 East Chinnock Village Hall Café Church Lay
11:00 West Coker Church HC tbc
18:00 East Coker Church ES Lay
Key: CRK=Canon Richard Kirlew; RRK = Rev. Rod Key; CJO=John Owen; JC=Jacqueline
Clough; RT = Rev. Richard Terrell; RR=Rev. Roger Redding; JR=Rev. John Rothwell;
CV= Chris Varley

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Collect – 2nd Sunday of Easter Post Communion
Almighty Father, you have given your Lord God our Father, through
only Son to die for our sins and to rise our Saviour Jesus Christ you
again for our justification: grant us so have assured your children of
to put away the leaven of malice and eternal life and in baptism have
wickedness that we may always serve made us one with him: deliver
you in pureness of living and truth; us from the death of sin and
through the merits of your Son Jesus raise us to new life in your love,
Christ our Lord, who is alive and reigns in the fellowship of the Holy
with you, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, Spirit, by the grace of our Lord
one God, now and for ever. Jesus Christ.
Collect – 3rd Sunday of Easter Post Communion
Almighty Father, who in your great Living God, your Son made
mercy gladdened the disciples with the himself known to his disciples
sight of the risen Lord: in the breaking of bread:
give us such knowledge of his presence open the eyes of our faith,
with us, that we may be strengthened that we may see him in all his
and sustained by his risen life and serve redeeming work; who is alive
you continually in righteousness and and reigns, now and for ever.
truth; through Jesus Christ your Son our
Lord, who is alive and reigns with you,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God,
now and for ever.
Notices:
• West Coker School Collective Worship A Monthly Collective
Worship service for approx. 30 minutes. The pupils gather in St
Martin’s church in West Coker. All are very welcome to join the
pupils. Tuesday 23rd April at 2.45pm Please do come along.
• Acorns Stay N Play, every Tuesday (during Term Time) 0930-1145 at
West Coker School. £1 per family. For details contact
01935 862568 or email: acorns.cokerridge@gmail.com.
• Memorial Service for Terry Kimpton will be held on Friday 10th May at
11am at St Michael’s Church, East Coker – All are welcome.
• Memorial service for Susan Crane (nee Lucas) who grew up in West Coker,
on Friday 10th May at St Martins, West Coker, Time tbc-All welcome

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• St Mary's East Chinnock Streets Prayer Focus – In April we are praying
for households in High St, Carters Lane, Portman Close, Chinnock &
Odcombe Hollows.
• The Benefice Prayer Group is a weekly prayer group half hour
together for prayer for the Benefice. We meet every Monday evening
for 30 mins at 5pm, at the 'room@the park' in East Chinnock on
Weston Street. Do come and join us.'
• Lords Larder Yeovil – It is now even more important we continue to
support this vital initiative. This week they are in need of Tins of
Ravioli, Curry, Potatoes, Rice Pudding, Tuna, Sardines; Packets of
pasta; Shampoo. Please note there are drop off boxes in some of our
villages (Hardington-Springfield Stores and East and West Coker
Churches) if you are not able to go into Yeovil.

• The Swindon Humanitarian Aid Programme are collecting candles to

send to those struggling without power in Ukraine. Huge areas of the
country are regularly without electricity. Lufton church are collecting
used candles to support this initiative, so please support our Ukrainian
friends by leaving your used candles at Lufton Church, which is open
all the time, Alternatively ring 07730526166 for collection or email
churchwarden@lufton.co.uk

Ministry Team Contacts

We are all available to all and any who may need pastoral
support.
Contact Your local Church Warden
The Coker Ridge Benefice FB. Or Contact
Barbs Hampshire email – officecokerridge@gmail.com
Office Hours are flexible 01935 864574
Monica Whipp – Tel: 01935 862834
West Coker – Mick Collins 01935 863129, Sue Bonning 01935
862351
East Chinnock – John Chappelle – 07887875622
East Coker – Toffer Beattie – 01935 862469
Hardington – Daphne Creed 01935 862363, Richard Middleton
01935 863812
Pendomer – Robin & Sheila Carpenter – 01935 862339
Closworth – Robin Bryer – robinbryer@btinternet.com
Sutton Bingham – Elane Taylor – elaine.taylor78@btinternet.com

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