“Silence”

 

Coming to terms with silence is an important part of gaining self-knowledge and it offers space to be still and listen to God in the echoes of the mind. It helps build up inner resources, which brings healing of the memories and wholeness of body, mind and spirit.

 

We live in a culture which has almost outlawed silence and stillness; therefore we need to create cases in which inner silence can be cultivated.

 

Silence offers space for self-counselling, listening to your inner voice for guidance understanding the emotional needs of the deep within you. It is a way of entering into the loving silence of God who, as the Holy Spirit, the Counsellor, is waiting there to heal you. It is where the light of Christ shining in the dark soul helps you to discover the truth about yourself, removing the mask which prevents you from being free.

 

Sometimes, like Samuel, it may take an older person direct you to listen to the voice within, which can lead towards growth and change.

 

“Speak, Lord, for your servant is listening.” (Samuel 3.9)

 

Prayer:

 

Lord, be in my mind

And in my understanding.

Amen.

 

(By kind permission of the Rev. Brian Branche, from his book “Reflective Thinking”.)

 

Freda Rothwell

The Flea Market

 

The following poem was written in 1997, after a visit to The Flea Market, when it used to be held on occasional Saturdays at the Excel Centre on Manchester Road. Later, the venue changed to Middlebrook on some Sundays. I know there are other local sales and car boot sales for collectors; but on this particular visit 11 years ago, I must have enjoyed the atmosphere to be able to write this! I believe the attraction for me was to be reminded of past-times by the many objects on view - such as large enamel bread-bins. These were probably taken for granted at one time, and used in many homes. (I purchased one from a Canopy Sale in town several years’ ago.) the Flea Market was re-named: “Antique and Collectors’ Fair”:

 

I’m at the Flea Market, so much to see.

A collectors’ paradise, you’ll surely agree.

Stepping back in time, it seems,

To spot the object of my dreams.

 

Stalls crammed full of merchandise,

Displayed to entice my searching eyes,

Pottery, paintings and postcards galore,

Boxes of bric-a-brac, some overflow.

 

Caskets of glittering jewellery,

Stylish hats and fancy dress,

Early 20th century fashion, I’d guess.

Sharp-eyed dealers guard their stands,

Reminiscent of markets in foreign lands.

 

People mull over books,

Amidst the background din,

There’s everything under the sun,

Even an old biscuit tin.

 

Auto-jumble, tools for Dads and lads,

Something for everyone’s tastes and fads.

Come to the Flea Market,

Join the throng,

Down Memory Lane,

You can’t go wrong!

 

Freda Rothwell

 

Church Tower Roof

 

By the time you are reading this, the church’s tower roof will be out of bounds to everyone for next three months because a pair of Peregrine Falcons will have made a nest up there. They appear to have turned down a des. res. nest box on the town hall in favour of the church tower! 

 

The peregrine is afforded the highest degree of legal protection under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is an offence to intentionally take, injure or kill a peregrine or to take, damage or destroy its nest, eggs or young. It is also an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb the birds close to their nest during the breeding season. Violation of the law can attract fines up to £5,000 per offence and/or a prison sentence of up to six months.  Therefore all doors above the belfry are now padlocked with the only key being with the Parish Administrator. Access to the roof will only be allowed in a dire emergency e.g. if the tower is falling down!

 

More information at http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/p/peregrine/legal_status.asp regarding the legal implications.

 

SJM