Church Calendar - AUGUST 2010
Sunday Readings - AUGUST 2010
The Vicar Writes... AUGUST 2010
Money management and proper house-keeping are a key part of the Kingdom of God. Without money we can do nothing; we can do a lot of good with it for others as well as ourselves. The villages have been enormously generous in giving money – for example over £1000 this year to Christian Aid.
Buildings are a gift to us – those trying to get on the ladder to owning their own property know only too well what it feels like not to have your own home. Not to have a parish church would be a huge impoverishment of the community. To have it should be an inspiration to put it to the best use of the community – more than Sunday worship – a day-to-day place of welcome, hospitality and use to the whole community. I see our parish churches not as albatrosses but as gifts, expensive to maintain, but dynamic places which represent the long evolving stream of community life and faith, and which we could with vision, energy and generosity develop to serve our villages.
Pope Benedict XVI visits the United Kingdom in September. The Roman Catholic Church, of which he is spoken of as Supreme Pontiff , differs in some of its teaching from the Greek, Russian and other Orthodox Churches, the Church of England in the worldwide Anglican Communion, and other Churches of the Reformation. The Vatican has been quite specific in its view about homosexuality and women deacons, priests, and bishops. These in particular may well excite a measure of hostility towards him. The Church of England is well-practised in living with difference –and England noted for its generosity in matters of faith and practice.
In our parish churches I believe it right to pray Benedict’s visit may be a time of blessing for all Christian people; and his meeting with the Queen as supreme governor (no, not head) of the Church of England and Anglican leaders heal wounds and widen perspectives.
There is a report of the 2010 Flower Festival. It was a great achievement by a large number of people – inspiration, innovation, skilfulness, friendliness and munificence generated a memorable three day event: like a parable “Water of Life” spoke of God in creation, and God in the lives of us all. It was a good experience!
Good wishes, John
WINTERBOURNE VALLEY SCHOOL
The recent School Fayre was enjoyable raising £460 for PTFA funds. It was the occasion to bless the impressive eco-garden created by parents; and the extension to our Church of England aided school creating an office, staff room, storage and secure entrance. Thanks to Salisbury Diocese! ... that’s in part where our Parish Share is used .
Towards the end of term an open afternoon gave us access to some of the work and activity of our children. There were a lot of parents and much to make an impression as children were engaged in craftwork around the Great Fire of London; others proudly showing off their stick insects! and computer generated animations; and a group armed with umbrellas dancing to “I’m singin’ in the rain”.
It has been good to sit in on Friday collective worship this term. Some of our regular churchgoers have led inspiring assemblies including “Taizé” music “Treasures” “St John the Baptist’s birth” and “Sea Sunday” with a variety of seafarers’ hats”
REPAIRS AT MARTINSTOWN - mundane but necessary, have been done. These include mortar to the lower outer walls, removing unsightly black accretions on the inside walls, and replacing rotten louvres in the tower. A big thank you Howard Bowering and John Crawford who undertook a dirty and unpleasant job clearing the bell-chamber of years of bird droppings before new louvres were fitted.
REPAIRS AT ABBAS Winterbourne Abbas Committee has been addressing fabric issues after a fresh look at the last Quinquennial Report which outlines work to be done on the Parish Church. Essential work to be put in hand shortly, and undertaken by a local firm, will cost many hundreds of pounds. We look and hope for your support and encouragement on Saturday 14 August. The Winterbournes PCC agreed net proceeds from the fete would be divided as follows:-
Steepleton Parish Church; Abbas Parish Church
Parish Fair is at Steepleton Manor on Saturday 14th August
ABBAS “COME AND PRAISE” In June and July, the informal service has made use of modern technology. Numbers have been encouraging. In September we hope the earlier time of 09.30 will suit people better – not too early, but leaving much of the morning free afterwards for family outings and interests.
A GREEN ALTAR FRONTAL at Martinstown has been given by José Booth in memory of her husband Alan. It was made by Wippell of Exeter together with a matching burse which carries the white cloth called a corporal; and veil covering chalice and paten prepared for the Eucharist.
The design on the frontal is known as an escarbuncle. It developed from the soldier’s shield with iron bands stemming from the centre to give it strength.
As St Martin was a Roman solider before entering the monastic life, it is an appropriate sign; and because he took up the shield of faith it is an apt reminder of his enormous contribution to the consolidation of Christianity in France and beyond. An escarbuncle can be interpreted as a representation of a brilliant gem. Martin was a burning light in the Church, and his example still shines among us today.
We are very grateful to José for her great generosity to our Parish Church.
FROM THE REGISTERS
FLOWER FESTIVAL
From the initial meeting at the beginning of the year to the final clearing away, the experience of “Water of Life” Flower Festival has been good. Twenty-one adults and a number of children were involved in the alphabetical arrangements, and an additional twelve people in stewarding.
Flowers and foliage from the village gardens were added to those bought by each arranger. The refreshment team worked extremely hard all weekend providing lunches as well as morning coffee, scones and tea.
A large number attended the festival with Saturday being the best day for weather and numbers. We know that more than 250 leaflets were taken away, but many were left behind to be used by others. The displays were much photographed, and some appear on Martinstown-News.
“Wessex Women” entertained us on the Saturday to a concert with music embracing humour, love and lullaby- Nine women sang without a sheet of music, and without accompaniment. Much enjoyed !
Many other people were involved in providing display boards, baking, moving tables, erecting and dismantling the Guides’ marquee, and in organising publicity. There were other mundane but important jobs that were quietly and willingly undertaken. We finished with Songs of Praise which included a lovely anthem sung by the hard-working and willing choir!
The net proceeds are £1600 . The book sale earlier this year, and six generous sponsors, covered the cost of oasis, flowers etc., and others were liberal in giving in kind. The Parochial Church Council meeting on 7 July agreed £1200 for improving Martinstown Parish Church and £400 to a Christian Aid Water Project, one of the Winterbourne Parish charities this year . This is in the spirit in which the Festival was conceived and mounted.
A few days later a much-appreciated drinks party was thrown to say “thank you” to those who had organised and participated.
FLOWER FESTIVAL – REFRESHMENTS
Thank you very much to everyone who very generously supplied cakes, scones, lettuces and tomatoes. All were very gratefully received and we had lots of very positive comments about how nice it was to have so much home-made food.
Thank you to Lorna, Margaret, Maggie, Geraldine and Rosie for their invaluable help – what a sterling team we made! Thank you to, to Eileen, Lorna, Nigel and Rebecca for rolling up their sleeves to help with the washing up.
Thank you to everyone who helped set up and clear up and to the Village Hall for the loan of all the crockery . . . and the tea-pot!
Finally, a VERY special thank you to Lorna – without whom I wouldn’t have known where to start – for help with the planning, buying, serving and for just being there!
Gillian McCourtie
THE PARISH OF THE WINTERBOURNES ANNUAL MEETING
Churchwardens (Martin Hartley, Abbas; Jobn Crawford, Steepleton
Dick Corbett-Winder & Bruce Robertson, Martinstown) are invited to swear their oath of office at a meeting with the Archdeacon of Sherborne.
Tuesday 18 May; 19.30 hrs; St Nicholas, Abbotsbury
Electoral Roll Steepleton 24 Abbas 20 Martinstown 77 Total 121
Meetings of the Parochial Church Council 2010
Tues. 11 May; Wed. 7 July; Thurs. 9 September; Mon. 15 November
Time: 19.00 hrs
Place: Steepleton Manor Conference Room
Elected members are
Winterbourne Abbas Joy Parsons and Daphne Morrison
Winterbourne Steepleton Kate Vallis and Pat Lambert
Winterborne St Martin Janet Southall, Maggie Robertson,
Geraldine Canniford and Ian Gibson
“Dreams and Visions”
A day for all to share ideas and hopes for the future in our villages
... and the part our churches play in community life.
All, whether ”Churchgoers” or not, are welcome to participate
Martinstown Village Hall
Saturday 25 September 09.30 hrs with buffet lunch at 12.30 hrs
Flower Festival 2-3-4 July
Including a soncert in Church Saturday 3 July 7 pm
“Wessex Women” singing a cappella
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
Flower Festival expenses.
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 - AUGUST 2010
Morning Prayer is said at Martinstown at 8.30 am Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday...
...and Winterbourne Abbas at 8.15am on Friday.
Prayer for the community and beyond maximum of twenty minutes.
Please come and start the day with us.
COMPTON VALENCE CHURCH FLOWERS AND CLEANING ROTA
Please call Sarah Sclater for further details. 01308 482231.
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.
...the following in Winterbourne Abbas
10.30 Sponsored Walk at Longlands Farm for Christian Aid
11.30 Informal Eucharist in the Barn at Longlands Farm
with a music group. Bring your own instrument
Music information: Alison Crawford 01305 889377
12.30 Buffet Lunch
Sponsored walk forms from the Churches/Rectory. Lunch tickets (free) from the Churches on Sunday or Joy Parsons 889611; Dick Corbett-Winder 889410
EMMAUS
informal groups helping us discover and grow in faith together
• Mondays at 10.00 Turnpike Cottage 880008
• Tuesdays at 19.30 Rectory 889466
until Monday/Tuesday 14/15 December, and resuming in January.
TEDDY PRAISE
for parents with little children. We haven’t got it right!
We need to hear what you say, and in the New Year will set about listening to your needs and suggestions.
HOME GROUP
At Turnpike Cottage, Weymouth Road, held on 3rd Monday of each month 10.30 - 12 noon.
We are studying Miracles, signs of God’s Glory.
June 21st
July 19th
DORCHESTER CHORAL SOCIETY
Monday 28th June at 6.45pm
at St. Martin’s Church, Martinstown
50th Year FREE Celebration Outreach Concerts
Sacred and Secular Music, including Madrigals
Director of Music:
Christine Page
Accompanist:
Heather Reed
Come and celebrate with us - Everyone is welcome
DREAMS AND VISIONS
Saturday 25 September
09.30-12.30 hrs
Martinstown Village Hall
Informal lunch from
12.30-13.30
Each of our villages has its list of needs and hopes.
Our Churches too could be better equipped, flexible and used
What could we be doing for each other, to build community life ?
Come and share your thoughts and ideas.
What do you think we should be working together for?
This is open to all who wish to come.