Clent Parish Church

St. Leonard’s is a pretty, rural church, set below the south flank of Clent and Walton Hills, in the north of the county of Worcestershire. We are part of the Stourbridge Deanery of churches in the Diocese of Worcester. Clent was formerly part of the United Benefice of Clent & Belbroughton with Fairfield. Recent re-organisation affiliates St. Leonard with the neighbouring churches of St. John and St. Saviour in Hagley, all under the guidance of Rev. Richard Newton. Although Sunday services are temporarily suspended we are delighted that you have arrived here on our web.

WELCOME

Services this month: JUNE

“Belonging to Christ has never been measured by the number of people in church for a Sunday Service but by the service we offer to others every day.” At the direction of the Archbishops ALL C. of E. CHURCHES are now CLOSED Rev. Richard Newton invites you to participate in our next on-line Sunday Service ~ 10:30am To join Zoom Meeting ~ https://us02web.zoom.us/j/2742533710 Meeting ID: 274 253 3710 The number for those joining by phone is: 020 3481 5240 You can download the Order of Service here There is an alternative service available ALL WEEK on this website - on the next page <This Week> Follow an amazing Virtual Choral Evensong with some exceptional musicians, clergy and lay-persons Download the Order-of-Service ________________________________________________________

SAFEGUARDING

If you feel that, as a child, or vulnerable person, you need HELP - there are people at St. Leonard trained to give you every assistance. • Come to church and ask to speak to SARAH . Call her on 01384 637 331 • Ring HILARY on 07495 060869 • Ring the Parish Office on 01562 730 777 • Ring CHILDLINE on 0800 1111 • or ACTION ON ELDER ABUSE on 080 8808 8141 _________________________

TRINITY

The first Sunday after Pentecost, which celebrates the Christian doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. . Date: Sunday, 7 JUNE 2020

Customs

The only reference in the 1662 Prayer Book to Rogation Sunday is in the Table and Rules for the Moveable and Immoveable Feasts, and the phrase "commonly called Rogation Sunday". In the 1928 Prayer Book this was not used even though Rogationtide customs have still been maintained. Outdoor processions on what were once known as "gang days" were suppressed in 1547 (Edward VI), but restored under an Injunction in 1559 (Elizabeth I). The brief mention of Rogation Sunday, and the inclusion of three Rogation Days in 1662, indicated widespread observance in the 17th century, evidenced also by George Herbert in his ‘A Priest to the Temple’ in which he exhorts the parish priest to be diligent in encouraging Rogation processions: "a blessing of God for the fruits of the field" and "justice in the preservation of the bounds". This early summer period was known as “The Tides of Summer” since it features the festivals of _ • Whitsuntide • Rogationtide & • Ascensiontide It was often a slack time of year for agricultural workers before the hard work of harvest and straight into ploughing. The ‘Village Box’ would be opened - a chest into which weekly contributions were put which would provide sick-pay for any unfortunate - we still refer to drawing sick-pay as “..being ‘on the box’.” With men with spare time and spare cash, brewers took advantage by brewing ‘summer ales’ of extraordinary strength .. and a fine time was had by all !

A Prayer for those being admitted to hospital

God of love, Make yourself known to me as I enter this hospital. Help me to adjust to this new manner of life. Give me gratitude for those who care for me, compassion for those in the ward with me, love for all who I may meet here, and your presence - that I may know your healing touch. Amen.