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 Three Parishes The Benefice Letter Dear Friends The last farewells have been said, the last presentations made, the last heartfelt thanks given. We’ll never again be able to ring the Rectory answerphone and hear that familiar West Country voice with its message ending “.... and perhaps a short message....”, knowing that Richard will always ring back. Richard has gone and the Rectory is empty. We’re on our own now -­‐ or are we? Here are 6 reasons why we shouldn’t panic: 1. Each of our three churches has a good team of experienced lay people who know what they’re doing. Much of our church life has always been run by them and this won’t change. 2. Of course Richard did a huge amount himself. The good news, though, is that he planned meticulously for the Benefice to be able to function without him. Throughout his final year Richard was producing notes, memoranda, check-­‐lists and forms for each of our churches. These are going to be enormously helpful to us now he’s gone. And Richard himself supervised the moving of the Parish Office from the Rectory to the Wells Room in Saltford Church Hall, together with his files and records, which are now available for our lay leaders to consult when necessary. 3. We have a number of local retired clergy who know us well Newsletter November 2014 already and who have generously agreed to help see us through the vacancy. With their help, and our own lay teams, our pattern of services can continue largely as before. The challenges presented by a vacancy can also be an opportunity for us to grow in numbers and in our faith -­‐ please do support those who are leading our worship by coming to church as often as you can! It would be wonderful to have really good attendances at our Remembrance Sunday services on 9th November. 4. It’s one of the responsibilities of the Rural Dean, Revd. Jane Chamberlain (Rector of Blagdon, Compton Martin and Ubley) to provide advice and support to parishes in her Deanery during vacancies, and we are doubly fortunate to have our Archdeacon, Ven. Andy Pigott, living in Saltford. 5. Our Benefice Vacancy Committee, consisting of the PCC Vice-­‐Chairs and churchwardens from each of our churches, has been up and running since the beginning of the year. Consultations within our churches about how we see the future and our priorities for the new Rector are well in hand, and so is preparation of the Parish and Benefice profiles which are a vital part of the legal process for replacing Richard. 6. At a joint meeting of our 3 PCCs on 9th October, Andy Pigott drew on Psalm 121 “I will lift my eyes to the hills: where does my help come from?“ Richard has gone but we are not on our own. We’re never on our own. God is with us. And He will help us. This is the Benefice Vacancy Prayer which Rose Bailey of Newton church has written for us at the request of the Benefice Vacancy Committee: Heavenly Father, we give thanks for those who in the past have cared for the spiritual needs and the church environment of our 3 churches. At this time of vacancy, we pray for all churches currently without an incumbent and we ask you to bless all who are leading and teaching in our parishes. We put our trust in you, Lord, for guidance to appoint a minister of your choice, who will inspire us to share your love in word and deed. In Jesus’ name. Amen. Yours sincerely Funeral 8th October Gwenda Bendall NEWTON ST LOE Baptism 14th September Polly Charlotte White Funeral 15th September David Bailey ☩
Anthony Acton
Parish Registers SALTFORD Baptism 27th September Lilia Ren Dixon 28th September Isaac Angus Millar 5th October Sophie Grace Church Funeral 9th October Edna Hill Burial of Ashes 8th September Peggy Gane 13th September Lilymae Joanna White 21st September Samuel Francis Theodore Acton 27th September Alfie Joe Price 27th September Jonah George Price CORSTON Baptism 13th September Avarose Hilary White Parish Roundabout A Reminder....from 21st October Richard & Lesley’s address will be 45 Howard Park, Greystoke, Cumbria CA11 0TU. email: [email protected] Holy Communion at Home or a Visit: If anyone is unable to get to church and would like either Holy Communion at Home or just a visit, please contact the Parish Office. Copydate for the next newsletter is 7th November at the latest. Please deliver all copy to the Parish Office. Transport: for transport to a service in the benefice, please ring the Parish Office. The Less Able: if anyone needs assistance to fully share in a church service please ring the Parish Office. The Parish Office: has now moved to The Wells Room at St Mary’s Church Hall, Saltford ☩
St Mary’s Saltford www.stmaryssaltford.org.uk
The Parish Office, St Mary’s Church Hall, High St., Saltford, BS31 3EL Tel: 01225 872275 Email: [email protected] Churchwardens: Dave Faulkner 01225 874133 John Norris 01225 872750 St Mary’s the Next Step – Consultation In the next few weeks there will be an opportunity for the congregation of St Mary’s to look back with thanks and forward with hope so that we can formulate a vision for the future. This will form part of the Parish Profile that will be given to prospective new incumbents. The consultation will consist of Biblically based discussions in our house groups and an Open Meeting for those people who are not in a house group on Wednesday 5 November at 7.30pm in the Church Hall. Also there will be response leaflets available in the church porch. These can be completed and returned to the box in the church by 23 November. If you would like more information, please speak to one of the church wardens. St. Mary’s Plans for the Vacancy Now that Richard and Lesley have moved, it is likely that the Diocese will rent out the Rectory. Therefore the Parish Office has been moved to the Wells Room in the Church Hall – there is a letter box in the side door. Plans have been made to carry on as normal after Richard’s departure. John Norris and I, as Church Wardens, have ultimate responsibility for running St. Mary’s during the vacancy, Sue Dixon will chair the PCC meetings and Robin Dixon and Ken Plant are going to co-­‐
ordinate services and other matters related to our worship, with support from Ralph Osborne, Sandy Munday and Margaret Snook. All individuals, groups and committees associated with church life should continue as they usually do. Contact details for the Parish Office are:-­‐ Tel No: 01225 872275 Email: [email protected] All enquires, queries, and requests for information or support should initially be directed to the Parish Office. They will then be directed on to the most appropriate person. Please be sure to include your contact details in any phone message you may leave. The most important thing we can all do during the vacancy is to pray for God’s guidance, assurance and grace. We should pray for an understanding and loving nature as we work with each other and pray that God will help us to find time to do that extra bit for the Church, His gift to us. Dave Faulkner Mothers Union: Due to dwindling numbers it is with regret that there will be no further meetings. Remembrance Sunday: There will be services on Sunday 9th November at 10.50am at Saltford, 11.15am at Newton St Loe and 3.00pm at Corston. Fifth Sunday on 30th November is at Saltford when the speaker will be Paul Salaman a CMS link missionary Circle of Friends: On Thursday 6 November at 7.30pm, our talk will be ‘Those were the Days – Social Work Post War in London’ given by June Simpson one of our members. This should bring back a few memories! Meet in the Newton Room or Church Hall. Hilary Smedley 873179 Theatre trips – THE PRODUCERS Bristol Hippodrome, Wednesday 29th April 2015 2.30 Tickets £27.50 to be paid for by 27th Feb 2015 JERSEY BOYS – Bristol Hippodrome, Thursday 11th June 2015 at 2.30pm Tickets £34.50 to be paid for by 25th Jan 2015 Contact Olive Wilkinson 873965 Men’s breakfast with guest speaker Paul Solly Saturday 15th November 8.30am St Mary’s Church Hall Despite Bath being a World Heritage Site, homelessness is a real issue. Come and hear our speaker Paul Solly who leads The Genesis Trust, a charity founded on a Christian vision which has been working to alleviate poverty and hardship for people in Bath for 20 years. For more information of the Genesis Trust see http://genesistrust.org.uk/ Do come along and don’t forget to invite a friend! Tickets £2.50 available from: Robin Dixon 01225 359014 Nigel Taylor 01225 874905 Dave Faulkner 01225 874133 Ian Freemantle 0117 9090496 ☩
All Saints, Corston
www.allsaintscorston.org.uk Parish Office Tel:01225 872275 Churchwardens:
Jane Jones 01225 873475 Liz Acton 01225 873955 Made in Somerset – Corston’s Farewell to Revd Richard Hall At the packed farewell services on 5th October (Harvest Festival) a willow basket, handmade on the Somerset Levels, containing all these things was given with love to Richard & Lesley from their Corston friends: Wooden Cross made by Mel Jones out of oak taken from the choir stalls removed from the chancel as part of the re-­‐ordering of All Saints, Corston. Cheeseboard and knife made by David Luton. Piccalilli, chutney, jelly and jam made by Jean Seymour and Vikki Hurst. Mouse and Abel the Priest knitted by Bette Parfrey. Napkins made by Susan Charles Old English apples from Aileen Eyers’ orchard in Corston. Apple juice from Compton Dando Somerset cider Truckle of Somerset Cheddar Cheese A card was presented consisting of an original drawing of Corston Church by Adrian Hurst enfolding many pages of heartfelt messages from hundreds of people who have been blessed by Richard’s time with us at Corston. An album containing a photographic record of Richard’s 27 year ministry at Corston, beautifully prepared by Diane Phillips was also presented. Finally, a cheque for a substantial sum, representing many generous gifts of money received from parishioners and other well-­‐wishers was handed to Richard. Richard has always had a special affection for our Harvest Songs of Praise service where the farming community he loved is so strongly represented, and it seems appropriate to end by quoting from our penultimate hymn at that service this year: “Goodbye and God bless As pathways divide; Farewell and take heart With Christ at your side. With God’s hand upon you The future’s assured “Godspeed as you go In the name of the Lord” Anthony Acton Ladies’ evening out will be on Saturday 1st November 7pm to 9.30pm at Corston Village Hall. In aid of All Saints Church Corston. Come along for an evening of shopping, pampering and a good chat! There will be stalls available for abit of shopping, beauticians available for pampering and a luxurious raffle. Tickets: £5 for Ladies and £3 for girls to include a free glass of wine and a chocolate. Please contact Emily Groves on 01761 471791 for tickets Bible Study: will re-­‐commence in November. The dates are November 6th, 20th, & 27th plus the first two Thursdays in December. Remembrance Sunday is on 9th November and our service is at 3.00pm led this year by Canon George Farran. Darkness into Light is our service at the start of Advent on 30th November at 6.30pm. Christingle will be on 7th December at 4.00pm – more details next month. Christmas Market: It is hard to believe I am writing about Christmas. I know the shops are full of gifts and decorations but it still seems like summer. However, if we are going to have our usual successful Christmas Market we need help! Can you bake a cake or donate a raffle prize, and most of all please come on 6th December. Bette Parfrey ☩
Holy Trinity, Newton St Loe
www.holytrinitynsl.org.uk
Parish Office Tel: 01225 872275 Churchwardens: Rosemary Denning 01225 872617 Ian Tadd 01225 426489 Goodbyes to Richard & Lesley Our goodbyes to Richard and Lesley coincided with our Harvest Festival so the Church was beautifully decorated which created a fitting setting for tributes to be paid to Richard and Lesley for their wonderful care and love to all of us over the past 27 years. It is extremely difficult to find the right words to express our gratitude to them. They have shared our joys and difficulties and helped us in all times. Richard’s dedication and understanding of our needs was an inspiration to us. He can leave in the knowledge that he has encouraged and strengthened our faith for the future. The morning service was a happy occasion and the evening choral evensong was a musical treat. The lunch provided in the Duchy Office after the morning service was a good time for people to recall incidents involving Richard and Lesley at many village events and we were able to express our appreciation to them both in a tangible way and wish them well for the future. Teresa Austin was licensed as a Reader by the Bishop of Bath & Wells at an inspiring service at Wells Cathedral on Saturday 4th October. Teresa has been taking part in services at Newton for a long time and she was warmly welcomed at Church on 5th October. Teresa is a thoughtful and caring person with a long family association with the Village and the Church. Remembrance Sunday is on 9th November – we meet at the stone cross in the churchyard at 11.00am for the laying of wreaths followed by the service in Church at 11.15am The Send a Cow charity which is based at Newton held their annual service in the church on 21st September. It was organised by Revd Simon Barnes, the charity’s CEO and there was a splendid buffet in the Duchy Office afterwards. The Annual Christmas Bazaar and coffee morning is Saturday 29th November at the Village Hall. There will be lots of stalls, crafts, jewellery, cards and a cake stall, tea, coffee and a raffle. We look forward to seeing you there – the proceeds are shared between the Church and the Village Hall. Trevor Ewins How Do You Pray? In the book of Exodus we are told of at least forty-­‐three times when Moses prayed. We are told that Moses spoke on less than half of those occasions and that whenever he did, God replied. The first time Moses is recorded as speaking to God, is in response to God speaking to him! [So we are reminded that it is God who takes the initiative in developing a relationship with us.] Of the twenty or so times we are told that Moses spoke to God, seven of them are to ask questions that seem designed to ‘wriggle out of’ what God was asking him to do. On only twelve occasions does he ask God for something, only five of which are for himself and then three of these are denied! At least twenty-­‐one times we are told, “God said to Moses”… It would seem that the prayer-­‐life of Moses, the man of action, consisted mainly of listening to God. How did God speak to him? It is surely no coincidence that Moses spent a lot of time on his own: in the desert with sheep, on a mountain alone or with Joshua, or in ‘the tent of meeting’ where folk went to ‘enquire of the LORD.’ Prayer is a precious privilege granted by our gracious God and we are talking about it. Let us pray. Ken Plant
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NOVEMBER 2014 DIARY 1st Saturday 10.30am Village Market,C’ton 7.00-­‐9.30pm Ladies Night Out, C’ton Vill Hll 2nd Sunday – 4th before Advent 8.00am Holy Communion S’ford 9.30am Family Service S’ford 11.15am Teen Church S’ford 11.15am Family Communion C’ton 11.15am Morning Prayer (CW) NSL 6.30pm All Souls Evensong S’ford 3rd Monday 9.00am Morning Prayer Marksbury 4th Tuesday 7.45pm H’grp 18 High St. S’ford 5th Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion, Saltford 7.45pm H’grp 14 Golf Club La S’ford 8.00pm H’grp 5 Vernon Cl S’ford 6th Thursday 9.00am Morning Prayer, Corston 10.30am Holy Communion, Corston 7.30pm Standing Cmmttee Saltford 7.30pm Circle of Friends, S’ford 7.30pm Bible Study 8 Brook Cotts 7th Friday 10.00am Coffeeshop, Ch Hall, S’ford 7.00pm Choir Practice S’ford 8th Saturday 9th R’brance Sunday – 3 before Advent 8.00am Holy Communion (1662), S’ford 9.30am Family Communion, S’ford 10.50am Remembrance Service S’ford 11.15am Family Service & parade, NSL 3.00pm Remembrance service, C’ton 6.30pm Evensong, S’ford 10th Monday 9.00 am Morning Prayer, Marksbury 7.30pm PCC Newton St Loe 11th Tuesday 7.30pm Men’s study group 5 Vernon Cl 7.45pm H’grp 18 High St. Saltford 12th Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion, Saltford 12noon -­‐1.00pm Soup Lunch C’ton Vill Hall 7.45pm H’grp 14 Golf Club La S’ford 8.00pm H’grp 5 Vernon Cl S ’ford 13th Thursday 9.00am Morning Prayer, Corston 10.30am Holy Communion, Corston 7.30pm PCC Corston 14th Friday 10.00am Coffeeshop, Ch Hall, S’ford 7.00pm Choir Practice S’ford 15th Saturday 8.30am Men’s Breakfast, Ch Hall S’ford 16th Sunday – 2 before Advent 8.00am Holy Communion, NSL 9.30am Parish Communion, S’ford 11.15am Family Service Corston 11.15am Morning Service (1662) NSL 6.30pm Evening Praise, Saltford 17th Monday 9.00am Morning Prayer Marksbury 18th Tuesday 7.45pm H’grp 18 High St. Saltford 19th Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion, Saltford 11.00am Holy Communion Wick Hse Clse 2.00pm Holy Communion St Teresa’s 7.45pm H’grp 14 Golf Club La S’ford 8.00pm H’grp 5 Vernon Cl S ’ford 20th Thursday 9.00am Morning Prayer, Corston 10.30am Holy Communion, Corston 7.30pm PCC, Saltford 7.30pm Bible Study, 8 Brook Cotts 21st Friday 10.00am Coffeeshop Ch Hall S’ford 7.00pm Choir Practice, S’ford 22nd Saturday 23rd Sunday – 1 before Advent 9.30am Parish Communion, S’ford 11.15am Family Communion, NSL 11.15am Matins, C’ton 24th Monday 9.00am Morning Prayer Marksbury 25th Tuesday 7.45pm H’grp 18 High St. S’ford 26th Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion S’ford 7.45pm H’grp 14 Golf Club La S’ford 8.00pm H’grp 5 Vernon Cl S ’ford 27th Thursday 9.00am Morning Prayer C’ton 10.30am Holy Communion C’ton 7.30pm Bible Study 8 Brook Cotts 28th Friday 10.00am Coffeeshop Ch Hall S’ford 7.00pm Choir Practice, S’ford 29th Saturday 30th Advent Sunday 8.00am Holy Communion NSL 9.30am Parish Communion, S’ford 6.30pm Darkness into Light, C’ton DECEMBER 2014 DIARY 1st Monday 9.00am Morning Prayer Marksbury 2nd Tuesday 7.45pm H’grp 18 High St. S’ford 3rd Wednesday 9.30am Holy Communion, Saltford 7.45pm H’grp 14 Golf Club La S’ford 8.00pm H’grp 5 Vernon Cl S ’ford 4th Thursday 9.00am Morning Prayer, Corston 10.30am Holy Communion, Corston 7.30pm Standing Committee Saltford 7.30pm Circle of Friends 7.30pm Bible Study 8 Brook Cotts 5th Friday 10.00am Coffeeshop, Ch Hall, S’ford 7.00pm Choir Practice S’ford 6th Saturday 10.30am Christmas Village Mkt, Corston 7th Sunday – Advent 2 8.00am Holy Communion S’ford 9.30am Family Service S’ford 11.15am Teen Church S’ford 11.15am Family Communion C’ton 11.15am Morning Prayer (CW) NSL 4.00pm Christingle, Corston 6.30pm Evening Praise S’ford ☩
Bishop’s Message – November 2014 Remembering Jesus now We are in the season of ‘remembering’. On November 1st and 2nd we celebrate the double feast of All Saints and All Souls with a particular focus on remembering our loved ones who have died. A few days later there is the opportunity, perhaps especially for children, to remember, remember the 5th of November and they will celebrate with bonfires and fireworks, probably not knowing why! Then, a week or so after that, the poppy takes centre stage as we remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice and given their lives in the service of their country, with a particular poignancy this year as we mark the 100th anniversary of the beginning of World War 1. But why do we remember? Is it not more important to put the past behind us and move on? Certainly there is a danger that our remembering becomes rather too focussed on the past, and that we become very nostalgic both about people and events and see them, as it were, through rose coloured glasses. But that isn’t the way that people of faith are invited to remember. Each and every week, for those of us who come to church to break bread together, we are invited, in the words of Jesus to ‘do this in remembrance of me’. This is not an invitation to go back in time and try and remember Jesus as he was. Rather it is an invitation to bring our memory of him into the present and in so doing to bring the love, the compassion and the forgiveness that was so much a part of his life into the way we live our lives. In other words, to make all that he meant to his disciples then real for us now. A couple of verses from Lucy Whitmell’s poem, ‘Christ in Flanders’, speak into that reality for me especially in this anniversary year. Now we remember; over here in Flanders – (it isn’t strange to think of You in Flanders) The hideous warfare seems to make things clear. We never thought about You much in England But now that we are far away from England We have no doubts, we know that You are here Though we forgot You – You will not forget us We feel so sure that You will not forget us But stay with us until this dream is past And so we ask for courage, strength, and pardon Especially I think we ask for pardon – And that You’ll stand beside us to the last +Peter Taunton The Perfect Christmas Gift! We’ve produced special mugs to promote the fact that we are really hoping to become a Fairtrade Diocese by March 2015…and it’s available now! Priced at just £2.50, it could be the perfect stocking filler. Combine it with a pack of Fairtrade coffee, tea or hot chocolate and you’ve got the complete gift for someone special. For more details on where to buy, contact Jane Canning, Diocese of bath & Wells Fairtrade Champion) on 01275 790309 or email her on [email protected]