Dearest friends,
St. Dunstan was a renowned and well loved Archbishop of Canterbury (his memorial is on Monday this week).
He was so loved that for the better part of two centuries he was easily England’s favourite Saint – and between him and St. Edmund – was a favourite to become the patron Saint of England.
In the end of course England chose St. George, which makes St. David the only native of the country for which he is the Patron Saint in the British Isles.
Patrick was Welsh, Andrew was from Judea and George was Greek/Palestinian.
Dunstan was a monk (in Glastonbury), a writer and artist (he was particularly known for this), he was behind some pretty major reforms at Glastonbury and is often credited with the restoration of monastic life towards the end of the 10th Century when it had started to wane.
From there (where he became Abbot) he went on to be Bishop of Worcester and then London (two of the biggest Offices in the land).
Then in 960AD he went to Rome and was made Archbishop of Canterbury. He was an incredibly talented minister (both in faith and in politics). In fact, the coronation service that he wrote for the coronation of King Edgar in 973AD still forms the basis of our current coronation service.
He was also known for his amazing generosity. At one point on a journey to Rome his generosity was so great that nothing was left for him or his followers and retainers. There were many complaints among his retinue!
He has many examples for us to follow. Patience, love, a dedication to learning and to sharing that knowledge – but perhaps most importantly his excessive generosity.
St. Dunstan pray for us…
Fr. Matthew
Notices
Bingo
It’s Bingo this FRIDAY! (16th) at St. Luke’s. Come along for a great evening of fun. If you have anything you can donate for draw prizes please bring them in (and let Mandy know!).
BCP Mass
In a return to our 3rd Sunday schedule this terms we’ll celebrate a BCP Mass at St. John’s at the 9:15am service this Sunday (16th) and will have Evensong at 6pm.
BCP Choir
The Newton Abbot Parishes and St. John’s are uniting to build a new evensong choir. We will meet once a month to rehears at St. John’s and will offer one service of evensong each month across the parishes. If you’re interested in joining please speak to Fr. Matthew.
Quiz & Curry
Join us all for an evening of quizzing and curry (alternative option available) on Saturday 24th May. Do try to let Fr. Matthew know if you are coming (but don’t worry if you can’t, come anyway!) We start at 7pm in St. Luke’s.
Prayer Focus
That we may be like St. Dunstan. Patient, kind, loving, and with a passion for following Jesus in all things – and to give us to strength to grab the devil by the nose when he rears his ugly head!
Sunday 18th May
5th Sunday of Easter ⚪️
9:15am – BCP Parish Mass [SJ]
11am – Sung Parish Mass [SL]
6pm – Evensong [SJ]
Divine Office Psalter Week 1, C(I), Easter 5
Upcoming Dates
May
- 16th – Bingo, 7:30pm [SL]
- 17th – Table Top Sale, 10am – 12pm [SJ]
- 18th – Evensong, 6pm [SJ]
- 22nd – Liz Chelly Funeral, 11am [SL]
- 24th – Rosary Group, 10:30am [SL]
- Quiz & Curry, 7pm [SL]
- 30th – Cheese & Wine Evening, 7pm [SL]