At the Abbey we like to take time to work our way through a book of the Bible; to discuss, listen, talk, read, disagree and grow. At the beginning of 2012 our teaching series will explore the book of Ephesians (in the New Testament). Eugene Peterson's new book 'Practise Resurrection' will frame the new series and is available from the Abbey Bookshop. Peterson writes 'The most significant growing up that any person does is to grow as a Christian'. And, for him, Ephesians is a manual to help us in this journey. Eugene Peterson is a Pastor, Scholar, Writer and Poet and is Professor Emeritus of Spiritual Theology at Regent College, Vancouver.

Resonate is a new community for 18-29 year olds starting this autumn at Malmesbury Abbey.  We will begin by meeting once a month to explore what it means to have a life as a Disciple and Pilgrim that resonates with Jesus. We will explore this together through creating a culture of courage and adventure to go to a place with Jesus we have never been before.  Please pop these dates in your diary:

• October 30th 8-9pm at the Abbey,
  
• November 20th 7-8pm at the Abbey,
  
• December 18th 8.30pm for a social (venue to be confirmed).
  

If you want to get involved on this journey email me, Lee Barnes, on resonate@malmesburyabbey.com

Many people ask what a diocese is and how it all fits together. Some people view “the diocese” purely as the central organisation that provides support services to ministers, parishes and church schools.

But a diocese is also the sum of its parts: our 204 churches in seven deaneries, 67 church schools, chaplaincies across the sectors and the structures that help join them together. And we are all part of it.

Over 30,000 people regularly worship in our churches and 15,000 children and young people attend a church school. We have 400 licensed ministers, lay and ordained, fulfilling leadership roles in church and chaplaincies.

The five minute animated film, created in-house by Sam Cavender, explains all of this as well as giving an overview of the finances of the Diocese and its parishes. The film ends focusing on what the Diocese is about: “We want to help each other experience and be changed by the love of God and make that love known in our communities – this is being the Church.”

Neill 

It was good to see the Riding Lights actors again as I'd bumped into them in the Whole Hog after Basketball on Thursday Night. And really great that some guys from from basketball came to see The Narrow Road. Very strong performance, great cast and some thoughtful theology behind the script. Memorable was the side-by-side depiction of Abraham preparing to sacrifice Isaac as Christ was praying and sweating blood in the Garden of Gethsemane, then crying out 'where's my scapegoat.' Also having Jesus and Barabbas bound back to back as Pilate interrogated them – the son of the father (Bar-Abbas) with the Son of the Father (Jesus.)

Lee

I was encouraged to see about 60 people gather for a young and fresh new artist. There is no doubt that Luke has his own distinctive sound with cracking melodies but also a real gentleness to his solo ballads. As I participated in my fourth cup of coffee for the evening it felt that people were getting in to the music and the atmosphere was more and more relaxed. No stagediving though which was what I was planning on see… ah well, maybe next time. It made me think that maybe the Abbey should do an all-dayer with a wide range of local and not so local talent on display for the community. Big well done to Luke & the band!

 

 

 

The Labyrinth from Tom Price on Vimeo.

Monday Morning

Neill

Six at Morning Prayer this morning, only three last time. Two observations. Observation one - there will be less croissants to go around afterwards with our fresh coffee. Did the monks actually manage to pray early in the morning before coffee? Also with a preference for strawberry jam emerging we urgently need intercessors to join us who prefer apricot jam or honey with their croissants. Observation number two – the growth is phenomenal, 100% in one day. At this rate in two weeks time we will have 24,576 at morning prayer and I'll be able to launch my own TV channel. Exciting times.

 

TUESDAY MORNING

 

Neill

Monday night was a time of grace and beauty. One of those times where God was at work in the conversing and the praying and the singing and the listening. Walter Dirks was moved, and moved us, as he recounted strories of the heroic and unknown people he has met and photographed around the world – Daniel Ruffinatti's story was jaw dropping in it's pain, brokenness and the power of the redemptive love of Christ. Lee Barnes blew us away with powerful and personal poetry reminding us that we know a God who is in the business of reclamation, reclaiming that which is broken and forlorn. And, after the stillness of Night Prayer, Tristan Cork exploded on the Night Stage with Maximo Park, West Country Gangsta (Gingster?) Rap and Amazing Grace. At times his voice was as beautiful as Paul Tilley's shirt. (Paul was incidentally quite brilliant and cutting edge in his percussion play.) Look out for Lee's poetry and Walter's photography as the week progresses, and buy Walter's incredible book if you have any sense.

 

 

 

Skate Live Feed

ONLINE BOOKINGS ARE NOW CLOSED…HOWEVER YOU CAN STILL TURNUP AND IF THERE IS SPACE, BOOK AT THE SESSION.

You will also need a SIGNED Liability Waiver form

Malmesbury Abbey Skate

Following the huge success of last 2 year’s, we are once more transforming Malmesbury Abbey into a Skate Park for three days in the February half term. For further info go to Facebook.com/abbeyskate or contact us on skate@malmesburyabbey.com

This year we will have three days of skating courtesy of Christian Skaters UK, with sessions for under 8’s/beginners /girls only / and of course sessions for the more experienced skaters of which there is a large community in Malmesbury.  We are also planning to hold workshops. There will also be the Birdcage Café (with, amongst other things, special hot chocolates to buy!) open throughout the day with music to skate to!

If you have any problems with our booking system, please contact paul@malmesburyabbey.com

Three Key Moments Not To Miss:

Wednesday Night: 7pm to 7.30pm a BreakDance Performance by Physical Jerks  www.physicaljerks.co.uk

Thursday Night: 7pm to 7.30pm a Solo Performance by Luke Leighfield  www.lukeleighfield.com

Friday Night: During the Skate Competition Finale an inspiring talk by Cris Rogers www.crisrogers.co.uk

The whole event is run professionally and with appropriate risk assessments taken. Each skate session and each workshop costs £2.40 (non-refundable) – and you will need to bring along your liability waiver signed by your parents (if you are under 18). If you would like to book for a Skate session or for one of the workshops just click on the link in the programme above.

If you cannot skate or rollerblade do not worry, you are very welcome to come and experience this event within the ancient and tranquil surroundings of the Abbey. Last year young and old enjoyed the event and the Abbey was returned to normal by Saturday morning with no damage thanks to an amazing crew of volunteers!

We are all excited at the Abbey and look forward to seeing you there!!

You will also need a SIGNED Liability Waiver form

Links

Christian Skaters UK

Christian Surfers UK

Matt Withers (logo guy)

Cris Rogers (speaker)

Physical Jerks

Malmesbury Abbey Skate 2011 Programme

On receipt of your booking payment your place has been secured for that particular session. There is a limit on the number of places per session. If you have not checked in for your session within fifteen minutes of the commencement of that session YOUR PLACE WILL BECOME AVAILABLE TO OTHERS. The £2.40  fee payable per person per session is non-refundable. You will also need a SIGNED Liability Waiver form http://bit.ly/fVMU4I

You will also need a SIGNED Liability Waiver form

Some of the folks helping us!

Physical Jerks The Physical Jerks are an established breakdance crew founded, and based in the Bristol Area.  Drawing on over 30 years collective experience Physical Jerks are now the South West’s top breakdance crew.  Composed of 8 Members, the crew has an extensive history of professional experience conducted with both passion and professionalism.  Renowned for style-based bboying, Physical Jerks have brought an original and dynamic touch to events across the country including: fashion shows, club nights, festivals, TV productions, charity events, school workshop & shows and teaching. Some of the members will be offering a breakdance workshop at a local venue and performing on the Wednesday evening of MAS from 7pm. Cris Rogers Cris is the Leader of All Hallows Bow a church plant in the East End of London. Cris planted the church in September 2010 with mates who had a passion for the poorest area of London. Cris has been a youth worker for over 10 years and grew his first church plant out of a skate park in Birmingham. Cris has written a number of books with the most recent being ‘Practising Resurrection’ a book looking at how the church could change the world for the better. Cris is married to Beki and has two wonderful children. Luke Leighfield Luke is a talented and aspiring pop star. Luke’s first releases were a cluster of home-recorded EPs in 2005, followed by his debut album Garde Ta Foy, Garde Ta Foy in 2006. Since then Luke has released two further albums and a Greatest Hits CD in Japan (!) in addition to various singles and EPs. His debut single If You Haven’t Got Anything to Say hit the top 5 of the UK indie singles chart upon its release in 2008. Luke’s most recent album, Have You Got Heart?, was recorded with UK underground super-producer Peter Miles (The King Blues / Futures) and was released for free download at the end of 2009. Luke has toured extensively both in smaller venues and higher profile gigs have included appearances at Latitude Festival and The Great Escape, as well as support slots with the likes of Joshua Radin, William Fitzsimmons, Get Cape Wear Cape Fly, Kate Nash, Scouting For Girls, Jenny Owen Youngs, Frank Turner, Johnny Borrell (Razorlight) and Jose Vanders.

For 4 days at the end of October, Malmesbury Abbey was transformed into a starship!  With about 45 children and adults and a cafe for good measure, the Abbey was full of music, games, drama and my personal favorite, alien snot (aka yucky dip). This was Starship Discovery Holiday Club, and it was amazing fun.  Roy Windle and The Space Cadets lead the music with such classics as Tiny Little Me. Clair Cork ran the Birdcage Cafe with her waistline busting cupcakes, there where volunteers who ran games, crafts, and joined in silly songs, but above all they just got down and had great fun with the children.  The week ended with Pete Campbell running a great messy church service.  Overall it was a real fun week….but we all now need a rest…till next time!

Maseno Project Trip from Cris Rogers on Vimeo.

Imagine a world where poverty is being eradicated and people are seeing Jesus heal them on a daily basis…

Please welcome the Maseno Project!

‘My trip out to Maseno in July was a wonderful one. We saw on one afternoon over 70 healings of eyes, ears and legs. What was also wonderful was to be able to use the money Malmesbury Abbey generously gave the project. We were able to resource six young orphans with beds, cooking utensils, washing bowls and a sack of maize which will last them a good third of the year. Many of the young orphans we visited many were living with grandparents but these five were very much on their own. We were also able to buy them some footwear and some simple clothes. The remainder of the money we used to rent a field close by to one of the orphan feeding programs at Ekwanda, Maseno. This orphan-feeding program had about 350 orphans and we were able to rent a field so that some of the young people can learn to grow simple crops outside their homes. We have been able to do this elsewhere and it has proven to be quite successful, as the young people have been taking cuttings and even learning to grow bananas from the orphan feeding program mothers. The money Malmesbury Abbey gave allowed us to impact the lives of the orphans in Ekwanda in what will be hopefully lasting ways as they learn to grow their own food. Some of these orphans are as young as 7 and are desperate need. To see a full record of the trip please go to http://vimeo.com/13512358 where there is a short film looking at the impact of the trip of the lives of those in Maseno.’

On Sunday October 10th Malmesbury Abbey will be beautifully decorated for harvest with pumpkins and carrots and old bicycles. The Abbey is working with local charity bikes4africa to help turn old bikes into usuable bikes for African schoolchildren who currently face extremely long daily walks to school from often remote villages. They will also be collecting books for the bikes4africa project and mobile phones for wateraid.

Helen King from jole rider who run the bikes4africa project said “We’ll hope to get about 50 bikes from this collection. That might not sound a lot, but for the 50 children in Africa who will be getting to school far more quickly and easily, arriving there ready to learn, it’s fantastic! A donation of £10 is requested with each bike, and 50pence with each book, and this means we’ll be able to ship them to Africa before the end of this year. It’s especially exciting that jole rider is a Malmesbury charity and this is the first collection of bikes and books right here in Malmesbury.”

Rev Neill Archer, vicar at the Abbey, who has just returned from two weeks in southern Uganda, added “I have two unused bikes in my garage that could be put to much better use and fill the bikes4africa requirements and we also have a number of children’s books that can make the journey to Africa. I suspect there are many households in the area in the same situation and these two days of collection gives us all a chance to recycle, to work with a local charity to make a difference in young African lives, and to clear out the garage or shed.’

When the Abbey is open on Sunday 10th and Monday 11th October it will be possible to drop off a bike, book or mobile – because of a classical music concert it will not be possible on Saturday 9th October. Details of which bikes and children’s books are acceptable can be found at www.jolerider.org.