St Mary's Church, Mudford

                                         July 2024

This month's message comes from Jo Dalton-Leggett, Churchwarden

Dear Friends,

As I write, we have just passed the Summer Solstice. It was at 8.51pm on 20th June

this year. I have lived to a ripe old age without realising that the date and time varies

from year to year. Next year it will be on 21st, but it can be as late as 22nd. On 20th

June, while some folk in Mudford were enjoying a delicious Midsummer Strawberry

Tea, there was a very different sort of celebration in Rimpton, as the church was

packed with those gathering to say farewell to our dear friend, of indomitable spirit,

John Spencer. It was a celebration of a life well lived, and it was just as he wanted it

to be. John was well known and much admired for his intellect, his faith and his

tireless service to God, the church and the community. Indeed, he often contributed

fascinating articles to the magazine.

The sun shone brightly on both occasions, as we all enjoyed a spell of lovely summer

weather, a welcome relief after weeks of low temperatures, rain and wind. Everyone

knows that a bit of sunshine brightens the spirits; apparently, it increases the release

of the hormone serotonin, boosting mood and helping us to stay calm and focused.

Also, it plays a vital role in our bodies’ production of vitamin D, essential for our

health. The sun’s crucial role in the daily, seasonal and annual rhythms of life on

earth has been recognised for millennia. No wonder many cultures, past and present,

have worshipped the Sun as a deity. After all, the Sun can be seen as the source of

light and life, and in a physical sense that is true.

The Old Testament prophet, Malachi, predicted a coming judgement for evildoers,

but added, ‘… for you who revere my name, the sun of righteousness will rise with

healing in its rays. And you will go out and frolic like well-fed calves.’ I love that

image. When I lived next to a working farm, I remember how joyful the moment was

when the cattle were let out into the field after a winter inside. Like many

commentators, Charles Wesley interpreted the Sun of Righteousness to be none other

than Jesus Christ, the Son of God. This is clear in his great hymn, ‘Christ whose

glory fills the skies’, in which he calls Christ ‘the true and only light’, who as Sun of

Righteousness will ‘triumph o’er the shades of night’, ‘pierce the gloom of sin and

grief’ and ‘glad [his] eyes, and warm [his] heart.’ What a wonderful image!

Jesus Christ is the source of light and life. Only he can fill us with ‘radiancy divine’, bring

us true joy so that we can go out and frolic like well-fed calves.’

I wish you every kind of joy this Summer.

Jo