Day 2 - Dunster Church

I found Psalm 82 much more difficult today than 81 yesterday.
I still have to write a poem based on either - but "maintaining the right of the lowly and destitute" resonates with me.

Still back at the Rectory after Day 2 - which started from Dunster church - via the mill and then up a steep path through the deer park - aptly named, as a fairly tame herd of over 25 does looked at me with only mild interest - I was about 75 yards away.

Eventually I got up onto the the top ridge only to go too far south - I ended up looking down upon Rodhuish, rather than going through it. A little detour took me to Roduhuish church - a chapel of ease - which was as usual delightful (I think I've only been there once before). There are some particularly intersting carvings and sculpture, all priduced by local artists - including Porlock's very own J. Horrobin (if I've got his name right).

Then some road walking took me to Roadwater, where I bumped into the local vicar, Kenneth, who went with me for a herbal tea in a cafe in the old Anglican church building - now housing a cafe and a "heating centre" - interesting to reflect on the usefulness of our church buildings - this was very tastefully done.

Kenneth is about to start a 10-day silent retreat and so we prayed a blessing for each other - out aloud as he hadn't started yet.

At the end of the day - not that late in the afternoon - I found the lovely church at Williton - St. George's I think, but I could easily be wrong. It was so refreshing that I decided to make it the start point tomorrow - better to dwell on that than the bus service to Minehead - and on a local firm Webbers going bankrupt.

I found an amazing card there of St. Cuthbert's cross - which I hope to see at Durham Cathedral - and hope to go back for some small gifts tomorrow. I've also only been to this church once before, I think.

Earlier in the day, at Rodhuuish, I found this "refugee" prayer - lat's make it our own, God bless, Bill

Heavenly Father, you are the source of all goodness, generosity and love.
We thank you for opening the hearts of many
to those who are fleeing for their lives.
Help us now to open our arms in welcome.
and reach out our hands in support,
that the desperate might find new hope,
and lives torn apart be restored.
We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ Your Son, Our Lord,
who fled persecution at His birth
and at His last triumphed over death.
Amen.

A midday canticle (based upon Psalm 87)

Singers and dancers both say you are God
FOR ALL BELONGS TO THE CREATOR
Your holy city was founded on the mountain
FOR ALL BELONGS TO THE CREATOR
Glorious things are spoken of you
FOR ALL BELONGS TO THE CREATOR
My springs are in you, you are my fountain
FOR ALL BELONGS TO THE CREATOR

I know Tyre, Philistia, Rahab and Babylon
EVERY PART OF THE EARTH IS SACRED
Ethiopia is in famine, will the crops fail?
EVERY PART OF THE EARTH IS SACRED
You, God, will register all the peoples
EVERY PART OF THE EARTH IS SACRED
God will establish it: Hail, Most high, Hail
EVERY PART OF THE EARTH IS SACRED

Whatever befalls your children
MY SPRINGS AND FOUNTAINS ARE IN YOU
Whatever befalls your creation
MY SPRINGS AND FOUNTAINS ARE IN YOU
Every part of the earth is sacred
MY SPRINGS AND FOUNTAINS ARE IN YOU
For all belongs to the Creator
MY SPRINGS AND FOUNTAINS ARE IN YOU

Lord, our God, you renew the earth
Restore the waters, refresh the air
Revive the land and breathe on us new life.     Amen.