Church Calendar - MARCH 2010
Sunday 7th – Third Sunday of Lent
09.30 Winterbourne Abbas • Parish Eucharist
11.00 Martinstown • Parish Eucharist
18.00 Martinstown • Evening Prayer
Friday 12th
09.00 Winterbourne Abbas • School Mothering Sunday Service
Sunday 14th – Fourth of Lent (Mothering Sunday)
08.00 Martinstown • Parish Eucharist (BCP)
09.30 Compton Valence • Parish Eucharist & Distribution of flowers
11.00 WinterbourneSteepleton • Parish Eucharist & Distribution of flowers
18.00 Martinstown • Evening Prayer
Saturday 20th
18.30 Martinstown • Music and Readings for Passiontide
Sunday 21st – Fifth of Lent (Passiontide) Dorchester Team Ministry "Change-around" Sunday
09.30 Martinstown • Parish Eucharist (Canon Harold Stephens)
11.00 Winterbourne Abbas • Parish Eucharist (Canon Harold Stephens)
18.00 Martinstown • Evening Prayer
Friday 26th
10.00 Martinstown • Healing Ministry - Space to talk, to pray, to receive laying on of hands and anointing
Sunday 28th – Sixth of Lent (Palm Sunday)
08.00 Winterbourne Abbas • Parish Eucharist (said)
09.00 Martinstown Village Hall • Breakfast
10.30 Martinstown Village Hall • Blessing Palms and Procession to the Parish Church for St Luke Passion with Music
The Dorchester Benefice is walking in the afternoon to Martinstown for tea
Sunday Readings - MARCH 2010
7th March – 3rd of Lent
Isaiah 55: 1 - 9 • 1 Corinthians 10: 1 - 13 • Luke 13: 1 - 9
14th March – 4th of Lent - Mothering Sunday
Exodus 2: 1 - 10 • Colossians 3: 12 - 17 • John 19: 25b - 27
21st March – 5th of Lent
Isaiah 43: 16 - 21 • Philippians 3: 4b - 14 • John 12: 1 - 8
28th March – Palm Sunday
Isaiah 50: 4 - 9a • Philippians 2: 5 - 11 • Luke 22: 1 - 23: 56
The Vicar Writes... FEBRUARY 2010
The response to the Haiti Earthquake was phenomenal. Locally a huge sum of money was collected in Dorchester. There were (as far as I know) two events in the Winterbourne Valley which raised almost £800; our thanks to Joy Parsons, at Abbas, and Steepleton Manor for opening their homes to make this possible. There were more donations (£300) given to “Shelterbox” and a non-uniform day in our School. It is right to be generous, but not to be so busy that we forget to think Faith through as well. Many Haitians turned to God rather than away from Him; the Haitian Government called its people to national prayer – it seems we have something to re-learn from them.
Lent is a time for giving up. We give up what is negative, destructive and uncooperative, and renew our take up a revolutionary lifestyle enshrined in Beatitudes: so positive and creative! Good material to reflect on! Lent is a time to think diet. No, not to starve ourselves (we are told medically it does no good at all) and thoughtfully choose different food for our physical and emotional health and well-being . We are advised to eat less – in Lent maybe we do be less busy ? The Lent liturgy in Church is a good example of taking a fresh approach to familiar structure; different music which enhances ancient texts; new words to express old truths. Above all Lent is being closer to God, knowing ourselves loved, and happier to be in his company. Bread is still the staple diet of the Christian .... Eucharistic Bread “contains all sweetness” because it brings us to Christ and all he is, says, and does for humanity.
Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, or they shall be satisfied.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
Blessed are those who suffer persecution for righteousness’ sake,
for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
May Lent be a blessing, and Easter a joy to you,
John
FROM THE REGISTERS
The Hope of Glory
On 24 February at St Thomas of Canterbury, Compton Valence
Funeral Office for Raymond Andrews (Cremated at Weymouth)
On 25 February at St Mary Winterbourne Abbas
Funeral Office for Irene Violet Joyce Hyde
COMMUNITY MEAL IN HOLYWEEK
Wednesday 31 March
18.00 Martinstown Village Hall (Ticketed)
EASTER TRIDUUM
1 April MAUNDY THURSDAY
19.00 Martinstown Eucharist, Ceremonies, Guided Watch
2 April GOOD FRIDAY
10.00 Compton.Valence Prayers and Music at the Cross
14.00 Steepleton Liturgy of Good Friday
3 April EASTER EVE
20.00 Winterbourne Steepleton New Fire, Lighting Paschal Candle,
Renewing Baptism vows
4 April EASTER DAY Sunday of the Resurrection
06.30 Maiden Castle Greeting the sunrise
09.30 Compton Valence Parish Eucharist
09.30 Winterbourne Abbas Parish Eucharist (Rev’d Geoff Turnock)
11.00 Martinstown Parish Eucharist with Easter Ceremonies
18.00 Martinstown Choral Evensong
ANNUAL CHURCH MEETINGS
Steepleton on Monday 15 March; Abbas on Wednesday 17 March 19.30; Martinstown on Thursday 18 March 18.00. Compton Valence on Tuesday 23 March at 19.00 These meetings provide reports and accounts for you to consider, and the opportunity to nominate Churchwardens and others to the new Winterbournes PCC which meets for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on Thursday of Easter Week, 8 April at 18.30 in Steepleton Church.
Anyone is free to come to the meetings but to vote or elect you need to be on the Church electoral roll. Applications to do this are in the Churches now. At Martinstown, Bruce Robertson (currently one of two Churchwardens) is to offer himself as PCC Treasurer, so there will be a vacancy to be filled. If you think you have something to offer, or just want to talk through what is involved please get in touch with any of the Churchwardens in the Benefice or talk in confidence to John Good at the Rectory. Churchwardens are elected annually and serve (usually) for as maximum of six years.
FLOWER FESTIVAL
July 2-3-4 in Martinstown Church
Not to be missed ! Keep the dates free
SALE of books/cakes
PLEASE SAVE your unwanted books for a SALE of books/cakes and coffee on the Village Green. Saturday 22 May 10.30-12.00 to raise money for the Flower Festival expenses.
Saturday 20 March
Marriage Preparation 10.00-12.00 The Rectory
If you are thinking about getting married this year, why not come along and see what Church has to offer. You may be pleasantly surprised!
Please let John know 01305 889466
Weekday Services - MARCH 2010
Morning Prayer is said at Martinstown at 8.30 am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday.
Prayer for the community and beyond maximum of twenty minutes.
Please come and start the day with us.
THE BENEFICE OF THE WINTERBOURNES & COMPTON VALENCE
Priest-in-Charge
Canon Harold Stephens (Team Rector of the Dorchester Benefice)
Team Vicar:
Prebendary John Good
The Rectory, Martinstown DT2 9JZ
Telephone 01305 889466
johngood.martinstown@hotmail.co.uk
The Parish of the Winterbournes
Each Parish Church retains its own local committees, but there is now a single Parochial Church Council for Abbas, Martinstown, and Steepleton
Churchwardens
Dick Corbett-Winder 889410
Bruce Robertson - 880008
John Crawford - 889377
Martin Hartley - 889239
PCC Hon. Secretary
Rosemary Duke - 889555
PCC Hon. Treasurer
Bruce Robertson
The Parish of Saint Thomas of Canterbury, Compton Valence
Churchwarden
Jeremy Russell
- 01308 482227
PCC Hon. Secretary
Tessa Russell - 01308 488227
• Any of the above can be approached in the first instance for Baptism, Marriage, Home Communion or just a visit. The Clergy would welcome being kept informed when people are ill or in distress, and have answerphones for you to leave a message.
• If you want us to remember anything or anyone in the public prayer of the Church, we are glad to do this as long as the permission of the person involved is assured.
• Harold and John usually take Thursday as a day-off
Please let us know of anyone sick or in hospital who would like a visit. Or anyone housebound who would like to receive Holy Communion at home. Prayers for the sick are said each Morning Prayer and at the Prayer Group. If you have any needs or know of someone you would like us to pray for, do let us know.