The Holy Caterpillar
by Christopher Lane
The Holy Caterpillar

Coping with change can be challenging, especially when called to let go of the very things you always believed were unchangeable.

But then what do you suppose goes through the mind of the caterpillar as in the chrysalis all its external organs shrivel up while all the internal ones dissolve into a kind of soup, to be reconstituted into something so amazingly different?

Chris Lane is an Anglican Priest and Chaplain of Carisbrooke Priory on the Isle of Wight, a centre for Christian Healing.

The Holy Caterpillar charts something of his own thoughts on the process of metamorphosis, both from a personal perspective and through the observation of others, all in the context of his Christian faith.

The first three chapters ‘Birth, Death & Resurrection’ explore a personal experience of these life-changing events. Chapter Four, ‘Acquisitiveness’, looks at the universal urge to ‘gain by oneself and for oneself’ and the final chapter ‘Change’ brings things to a head, as happened for the author when twenty years ago his nephew and godson came out.

The book does not profess to be a defining scholarly statement. Difficult and elusive issues are in part addressed through poems and the whole lump is leavened with some delightful cartoons by Rupert Besley.

Rupert is a professional cartoonist who features each week in the local paper and whose postcards have gone countrywide.

The author’s hope and prayer is that others browsing among the leaves of The Holy Caterpillar may find some help in dealing with difficult issues, not least the challenge to change what you thought was unchangeable.
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NewsLetter
Suumer 2010

Compiled by Chaplain, Chris Lane

The DAY of PRAYER  -
A review of the 9th April

Chris Lane writes:-

Colin & Marja heard right. It was they who early in the New Year sensed from God that such a day was urgently called for. Although delayed a little until April 9th, it meant everyone could be told about it and the response was encouraging. Something like seventy were here in person during the nine hours, though not all at the same time. That in itself gives rise to the first impression for this closely engaged group was reminiscent of the early days before the Priory was purchased when we used to meet for prayer every Friday evening at the back of the Chapel. The other lasting impression as Marja observed was one of celebration. Given the day had been called out of deep concern, to find such a spirit of celebration had to be God’s special grace. Hopefully those who were praying at a distance received something of this blessing too.
It’s important I think to first recognize and thank God for these two general observations –
the restoration of something of the early and eager fellowship of prayer and a shared spirit of celebration – before considering some of the specific words and pictures. All words of Scripture and prophecy, together with pictures presented have been considered with prayer and these are some of them:
  • “I see a Vision within a Vision to move under God’s Grace and become focused on being a House of Prayer. How that will unfold will be God’s work but at the Priory he has a dwelling place where truly He is Lord. It is His House where people are welcomed and enfolded in love.
    From this place many more will receive Blessings……in ways that will amaze.
    Have Courage, have Faith – God is calling you to trust him with the vision he has for the Priory House of Prayer. The sound foundations have been laid over decades for this time- for NOW.
    The need is immense for places where the Lord is free to shower his Blessings on a world in need.”

  • “As I prayed over the last week, the Lord gave me the word ‘Return.’ ”

  • “ Your door is not wide enough.”

  • “ On arriving at the Priory that morning I overheard someone talking about getting rid of various kitchen gadgets that she never uses – and used the term ‘Thinning out’. She said there comes a time when you must thin out.  I thought of seedlings and how they need thinning out at the right time so that there is space, light and air enough for each to grow.”

  • ‘ “Every valley shall be raised and every mountain and hill brought low.” (Isaiah 40:4)
    - this seemed to indicate a promise of healing for those suffering from depression and bipolar disorder’.

  • From a phone call on the morning of Friday 9th:-
    ‘Yesterday at 6.00a.m. -  I saw a clear cameo- like picture . It was in the walled garden, along the wall with the pear trees on it. There was a tree bearing fruit that had a lot of dead wood.
    But it was not to be cut out. This is dead wood because it has given its all- it is so tired it needs to rest.
    It has to be said this picture spoke very vividly to some of us, not least since it is not the usual horticultural practice to leave dead wood in place. Yet not only does the Lord make a point of ‘not snuffing out the smouldering wick or casting aside the broken reed’ (Isaiah 42:3)
    but  he is also able to give new life to the dead !
    I was then given Isaiah 1:26-27 (Living Bible) :-
    “And afterwards I will give you good judges and wise counsellors like those you used to have. Then your city shall again be called ‘The City of Justice’  and ‘The Faithful Town’.
    Those who return to the Lord, who are just and good, shall be redeemed.”

  • Whilst walking & praying around the field beside the Priory on Friday afternoon, it was seen to be full of tents – a vision of a tented conference about prayer and for prayer.
    This was confirmed independently by someone else who was also there.


One immediate consequence of the Day of Prayer is the decision to repeat the day of prayer.
It is hoped to hold one every other month until further notice. The next two dates already booked are:-

Friday June 25th  & Friday August 27th

The plan is to begin as before with Midday Prayers at 12 o’ clock as usual & then break for lunch. The afternoon session will last from 2p.m –5p.m with occasional comfort breaks. There will be a ‘tea’ break from 5-6p.m when a meal might be eaten together (probably Bring Our Own) and the evening session will then run from 6 –9p.m, again with occasional breaks.
 


Some Other Future Events & News


CREAM TEAS on SUNDAY AFTERNOONS for the Summer
Trustees Brian and Brenda Drake have nobly offered to lay on Cream Teas at the Priory each Sunday afternoon during June, July and August. Served from 2.30 to 4p.m., it is hoped to raise some very useful funds. Brenda will be putting together a band of helpers to spread the load.
 
A new CRAFT GROUP & a growing ART GROUP
There is now a CRAFT GROUP meeting each Tuesday afternoon, 1.30 –  4p.m. under the direction of  Di Bristow  & Brenda Drake. Card making is a speciality but several other crafts are on offer. £3 per person per session is asked for, to cover materials and other overheads. 
Anyone interested in coming please contact either Di (882043) or Brenda (292980).

The ART GROUP under George Goddard’s watchful eye is to expand from this September to include Wednesday mornings. There are now over thirty people attending the existing sessions on either Monday or Friday afternoons. In May and June, they staged an exhibition of their work at the George Street Centre in Ryde under the title of  ‘Hidden Talents’.


COFFEE MORNINGS on Saturdays 
(10 –12)   
June 5th, July 3rd  &  August 7th.
Each occasion will normally be followed by the usual time of prayer in the Chapel at midday.
 

FRIENDS’ ANNUAL MEETING 
Saturday 17th July 

All Priory Friends (and anyone else who’d like to come) are invited to the Friends’ Annual Meeting. The day will start with Coffee in the Dining Room at 10a.m. During the morning
some of the Trustees, Chris, Colin and Marja will bring their reflections on the past year and thoughts about the coming one.  Those Trustees appointed or reappointed at the recent AGM will be introduced.
 Our prayers are especially invited for the Trustees at this significant time, not least for the position of Chairman. After such sterling service in recent years, Lawrence Jay will be laying down the mantle of Chairman although both he and Janet very much hope to continue to serve as Trustees.

Lunch is ‘Bring Our Own’ with tea, coffee & cold drinks available from the Tea Bar.
After Lunch there will be an opportunity for anyone to bring questions, suggestions, news etc.
The day will conclude at around 3p.m following a time of worship in the Chapel.


A SUMMER CONCERT
Friday 23rd July 7.30p.m.        
Music and monologues from Mary Thomas, Bob Wilkinson and Chris Lane in aid of the Priory.


 ‘FOOTPRINTS’
There can be few who have not come across this contemporary ‘classic’, which is now translated into numerous languages. But how many know who wrote it? Admittedly there is some dispute but we have it on good authority it was  Margaret Fishback Powers.
Together with husband Paul, they travel in ministry around the world from their home in Canada.  In September there is an opportunity to meet them at the Priory.
They will be speaking at the Open Door Service on Thursday 23rd September and also at a special meeting on the evening of Wednesday 22nd.
Definitely one for the diary.


A DAY for HEALING
This regular annual event will be taking place this year on Saturday October 9th  and our guests  will be John & Gillian Ryeland. Both of them come from the Christian Healing Mission, London where John is Director.  Another one for the diary!


The Finances
Some may have heard how earlier this year we were contacted by a firm of Solicitors to tell us the Trust was to benefit significantly from a legacy. This is of course very encouraging but for the record, probate has several months still to go. It’s likely to be at least the end of the year before anything is received and the actual amount is still unknown. In the meantime we continue to live on  ‘daily bread’ from our faithful Father’s hand. Our usual monthly income still falls short of the usual monthly expenditure. So please do not stop praying about the finances!
And even if the legacy is the maximum we think it could be, this would still only cover a small percentage of what could be done both in terms of bring the building up to standard and developing the work.












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