notices. Please send them to [email protected] or telephone 825019 by Thursdays 9am. CONTACT DETAILS Sandra Chin, Administrator 01666 825019, [email protected] Parish Office, The Old Squash Court, Holloway, Malmesbury. Revd. Sarah Wyman, Curate, 01666 577159, [email protected] Dr Brian Senior, licensed Lay Minister 01666 860475 Rachel Swatton licensed Lay Minister 01666 861035 Richenda Milton-Daws licensed Lay Minister 01666 824029 BRAYDON BROOK WEBSITE: www.braydonbrook.co.uk SUNDAY SERVICES 19 October Trinity 18 26 October Last after Trinity Ashley Morning Prayer 9.30am Holy Communion 9.30am Charlton Evensong 6pm Holy Communion 9.30am Crudwell Holy Communion 9.30am All Age Worship 11am Hankerton Informal Worship 11am Next service on 2 Nov at 9.30am Minety Holy Communion 8.30am Service of the Word + Baptism 11am Bellringers Service 10am Oaksey Harvest Service 11am Holy Communion 11am BRAYDONBROOKNEWS Pewsheet We would be delighted to receive items for the diary or the pew sheet 19 October 2014 Trinity 18 Ego can be a very dangerous thing. This situation could have gone very differently if Jesus had been in any way driven by his own ego. The false flattery that begins this passage is made all the more dangerous because what the Pharisees' lackeys are saying is true. Taken at face value, these are just astute observations of Jesus' character. Mercifully, Jesus sees through their treachery. But do we? “I know you can be trusted to keep a secret – Have you heard about...” “You're so good under pressure... you could take my test for me...” “You know so much about this, so I'm sure you'll agree...” How often are we at one end or the other of these conversations? Do we see them for what they are – a pretty disguise for an evil intent – or do our egos blind us to all but the praise and make us easy targets for manipulation? It's gossip for me. Being told I'm a good listener or that I can keep a secret, or the old line “In confidence, and for prayer” will almost always suck me into opening myself up to gossip, and it can be very difficult to draw a line between what is passing on information and genuinely asking for help and advice and just wanting to discuss something sensational. I have to try and remember that you can't un–hear something about someone and what I hear in idle gossip can change my opinion of someone forever, even if it turns out not to be true. Jesus is not afraid to call attention to the trap. “ You hypocrites, why are you trying to trap me?” But the doesn't get into an argument, he simply states his point and lets them hang themselves with their own rope! The two groups the Pharisees have sent to Jesus have polar opposite views when it comes to paying taxes. The Pharisees' disciples believe that the Jews should oppose any Roman taxes because the land was given to them by God, the Herodians believed that the Roman empire should be embraced and that paying a tax to be included in that was worth the price – both sides were willing to stand up for what they believed, so the Pharisees though they had Jesus over a barrel and that whatever he answered, he would alienate one group or the other. Jesus' reply is one of the best comeback lines ever! ”Give back to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s.” Not only are we to live by the laws of our land – wherever they are not in contradiction to God's law – but, and this is the most significant part, give to God what is God's. Our time, our love, our hearts and minds in other words, all the really important stuff – belongs to God. Rachel Swatton, licensed lay minister Sunday Readings (NRSV) Matt 22.15-22 Questions for Reflection: Then the Pharisees went and plotted to entrap When it comes to ego, we all sometimes fall him in what he said.16So they sent their into the trap. Which end of the conversation are disciples to him, along with the Herodians, you most likely to be - the one using empty saying, ‘Teacher, we know that you are sincere, flattery, or the one being manipulated? and teach the way of God in accordance with Is there any area of life where you are truth, and show deference to no one; for you particularly vulnerable to this type of manipulation do not regard people with partiality. 17Tell us, (such as gossip etc)? then, what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to It's usually easy to know what "belong to the emperor, or not?’ 18But Jesus, aware of their malice, said, ‘Why are you putting me to Caesar". Can you identify any areas of your life that should "belong to God" but don't ? Pray the test, you hypocrites?19Show me the coin this week for courage to give over everything to used for the tax.’ And they brought him a 20 denarius. Then he said to them, ‘Whose head God that he requires. is this, and whose title?’ 21They answered, ‘The emperor’s.’ Then he said to them, ‘Give therefore to the emperor the things that are the emperor’s, and to God the things that are God’s.’ 22When they heard this, they were amazed; and they left him and went away. Diary Monday 2.30pm - 4.30pm The Village Coffee Shop St Leonards Church, Minety Tuesday 9.30am -11.30am St Leonard’s Church Minety Handbells - Minety 10am Homegroup - Minety 12.15pm Burial of Philip Dickens - Charlton churchyard Wednesday 5.30pm - 6.30pm Fisherman’s Friends, a Club for 5-11 year olds - Charlton Village Hall 7.30pm Exploring Christianity - Lydiard Millicent School 7.30pm Homegroup - Minety Thursday 7.30pm - 9pm Bell ringing - Charlton Friday Saturday 10.30am - 12noon Coffee, Books & Produce - Holy Cross Church Community Area, Hankerton Exploring Christianity Wednesday evenings, 7.30pm-9.30pm, Lydiard Millicent School, Swindon. Explore your faith, grow in discipleship, deepen your commitment and learn with others. 6 modules exploring Spirituality and Prayer, the Bible, Christian Ethics and more. This course also fulfils the first two years of training for those exploring Licensed Lay Ministry. More info from bristol.anglican.org/ministry-resources Or contact Becky Waring: [email protected] Notices / Events Relev@nt? Does God still matter to us? Find out! an informal Service for 10-16yr olds 14 Nov, 6.30pm, All Saints Church Crudwell Followed by a food, music and games. Until 8pm Take a fresh look at church. Braydon brook youth group meets every Monday, 6.30pm-8pm for 11 – 13yrs & 7.30pm- 9pm for 14 +yrs. For details: Rachel 01666 861035 [email protected] On Friday 31 October at Ashley Church starting at 7.30pm there will be a short service to remember past friends and family; whether their passing was recent or a long time ago. If you think that this would be of help or comfort to you do come; all are welcome young, old, family, friends and neighbours. If you know of other people in similar circumstances do tell them and invite them to come along. If you would like more information please contact Rev Sarah Wyman on 01666 577159 Housegroups Small, home-based groups aiming to outreach into our communities and help us to grow in faith (known as "cell groups") meet weekly in Minety as follows; Tuesdays at 10am at Ruahine, Hankerton Rd, Wednesdays at 7.30pm at Field End, Crossing Lane. Ring Karen and Brian on (01666) 860475 to find out more or get directions. Please pray For our relationship with God and with others. For peace in countries of political unrest. For healing and wholeness in body, mind and spirit for those who are ill or in trouble of any kind, and that the Lord may meet them at their point of need. For those who mourn the loss of loved ones; especially the family and friends of Michael Greenslade.