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Published: Saturday, 06 July 2019 17:12
"desiderata" is a Latin word, and means, I think, 'things to be aimed for in life'. These words, written in 1927 by Max Ehrmann, have been wrongly attributed to the writer on a gravestone in a church in Baltimoread. But wherever you think they have come from, they are an insightful statement on personal aims and behaviour. They have had profound impact on many who read them for the first time. Please try!
Desiderata
GO PLACIDLY amid the noise and the haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant; they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons; they are vexatious to the spirit. If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain or bitter, for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.
Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass.
Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.
Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be. And whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul. With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.
By Max Ehrmann © 1927
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Published: Saturday, 06 July 2019 16:16
Beautifully situated in the grounds of St Leonard's Farmhouse, and warmly welcomed by hosts Patricia and Adam Mills, the Annual Beaulieu Abbey Church Choir Picnic was a great success! In one of the warmest days of the year so far, members and guests enjoyed the tranquil surroundings and were treated to some truly beautiful summer food. Very many thanks to all those who helped with the food, and to that stalwart group who fetched, erected, dismantled and stored the gazebos. The gazebos themselves were part of the stock of the Beaulieu Village Fete, and they provided wonderful shade on a gorgeous but hot afternoon.
Again, many thanks to Patricia and Adam.
Some pictures can be seen by clicking here.
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Published: Saturday, 06 July 2019 16:16
The Musical Gala
A very few tickets remain for the Musical Gala, to be held in the Abbey Church on Saturday next, July 13. Anyone wanting a ticket (price £20.00 including an interval drink and canapes) should contact either Jan Hoy by email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) or Peter Melhuish (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.) as soon as possible.
The Beaulieu Village Fete
The Fete is to be held in the grounds of Palace House between the hours of 1.30 pm and 4.30 pm on Saturday, July 20, 2019. For fancy dress specialists, the theme this year is 'Musicals'. This is a traditional English Fete, with bands, food, stalls and fun, all in a beautiful setting in the grounds of Palace House (by kind permission of Lord and Lady Montagu). Everyone invited! Proceeds to both the Beaulieu Abbey Church and local Beaulieu organisatins, via the Beaulieu Common Good trust.
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Published: Sunday, 30 June 2019 16:14
This is not so much a Church Notice, as a personal reaction after attending services in the Benefice this morning, 30 June 2019.
What a wonderful day!
This morning’s 8.00 am Book of Common Prayer Holy Communion was truly memorable. 21 people were crammed into the small and intimate Bucklers Hard chapel (as many as I can remember on a ‘normal’ Sunday) including a young boy of around 10, a young man from the United States of America and a retired priest and his wife, recently sailing in via the Beaulieu River! An inspirational sermon was delivered by our Rector, connecting the ancient art of ploughing behind a team of oxen (First Book of Kings Chapter 19, vv 15 to 21) with Luke’s reporting of Jesus rebuking a would be disciple who wanted first to farewell his family (Luke Chapter 9) with the importance in modern Christian witness, to concentrate on the important aspects of faith and look forwards not backwards. A buzz of appreciation and renewal from all attending. Wonderful!
And if that was not enough, the Benefice Service in St Katharine’s Exbury must have attracted close to 90 souls, enjoying Choral Matins led by the choir from Beaulieu Abbey Church. Amongst the congregation was a gentleman of 96 or 97 years, who could remember escorting King George VI in 1944, in this Church, after His Majesty had reviewed the fleet nearby. He was escorted by family from New Zealand, coming from a small town in the Lower North Island which was very well know to your scribe, who lived only twenty miles away from that place for many years.
What a truly wonderful morning’s worship.
”Thanks be to God”
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Published: Thursday, 27 June 2019 17:39
For a few hours on Wednesday, June 25 some thirty members of the benefice Churches of Beaulieu, Exbury and East Boldre were given the opportunity to savour the life enjoyed by the residents of a mediaeval almshouse! The hospital of St Cross, and the Almshouse of Noble Poverty were the results of a charotable foundation in the twelth century, and they have retained much of the atmosphere and dignity of that time. In an anceint building reminiscent (to your scribe at least) of the Abbey of Romsey or the minster at Tewkesbury, services are held, and the resident brethren attend, much as they must have done seven hundred years ago. Some pictures of the experience are shown here.
