Dear Friends, Jesus’ body had been destroyed on...
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1 Dear Friends, I have reproduced some of my Holy Week sermons for this month’s magazine; they weave together the themes we are starting to discuss in the Team and they encourage us to continue reflecting on Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. At the Passover, as with the manna in the wilderness, the people must not store up provisions for tomorrow. (Exodus 12) They are to trust God with the provisions for tomorrow, the Lord will provide in the morning! And they are to eat hurriedly, for it is the Passover of the Lord and there is no time to waste. By trusting God the people will be delivered and this moment in their history will become “a day of remembrance.” We all have days of remembrance and those words reminded me of my baptism, they challenged to reflect on my discipleship: themes for all of us tonight. Linked with Paul’s conversation with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11), Holy Baptism and Holy Communion become focuses tonight: sacraments without which no discipleship can begin or be sustained. Paul’s words relate to actions the whole worshipping community is called on to share. At the Eucharist we Gather as disciples; we receive, through the Liturgy of the Word, inspiration and encouragement; in the Liturgy of the Sacrament we are nourished by the body and blood of Jesus so that, once Dismissed, we can go and live our Christian discipleship. On Maundy Thursday we place an additional action at the heart of the Eucharist; the washing of feet: we highlight that discipleship means being a servant. This is the model of leadership we must reflect: one that leads by example; that encourages and generates confidence and hope in a God who influences and directs our common life. “Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and like a sheep that before the shearer is silent so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 52) We have assumed that the author in Isaiah is referring to a Messianic figure – a servant of God - and while, of course, Jesus is not mentioned, we have chosen to interpret these passages as pointing to Jesus Christ and set them at the heart of Good Friday. The Servant of God that Isaiah portrays contrasts with the high priest in Hebrews, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses - our leader has been tested in every way” (Hebrews 4 and 5), but without sin and has made it possible for us to approach the throne of grace. The throne of grace we approach is the cross – the place of shame transformed by Jesus’ commitment to humanity into a place of hope, where even we can be transformed! Jesus’ body had been destroyed on Friday, Good Friday; on Saturday, Holy Saturday, Jesus’ body, destroyed by such an ugly death, lay limp on the cold stone of the dark tomb while his spirit descended to the region of the dead. On Easter Day the prophecy is fulfilled, the body of Jesus is raised from the dead. The new, glorious temple of Christ’s risen body beckons all of humanity to step through the open doors of Jesus’ wide embrace into the Holy of Holies of God’s glorious presence. It is women who first step over the threshold of Jesus’ wide embrace and they worship him. Jesus links their worship with a challenge to become evangelists; “Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28) Jesus doesn’t say don’t hold me, instead he says “GO” – he accepts their worship and he encourages them to act. In the Renewal of our Baptism Vows we acknowledge that our response to the Resurrection is one of evangelisation and mission – we must go and tell others about Christ. We are to reflect the love of God in such a way that people feel compelled to join in the journey. “Go forth and tell God’s love embraces all; he will in grace respond to all who call; how shall they call if they have never heard the gracious invitation of his Word?” Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb (John 20), she goes to Peter and John who come to the tomb but depart without meeting Jesus! It is a wonderful story of action and reflection; Mary encounters the gardener because she has stopped! We should expect to find Jesus but we need to create space for such encounters! Jesus makes a difference but only if we stop long enough to see where he is! Bishop Nicholas reminds us, ‘Our mission, discipleship and service of God is about looking for what God is doing in the world and joining in.’ During Holy Week and Easter we experience a rich tapestry of liturgical actions across the Team, but their meaning is diminished if we don’t let them make a difference; if we don’t let the truths they point to transform us and renew us; challenge our perceptions and alter our direction of travel. We need to build on the relationships we have and be confident as worshipping communities so that we can continue to be a flourishing Anglican presence across Dorchester and beyond. Easter Day is not about giving thanks for a Resurrected Christ whose resurrection is just an historic event; it is about celebrating a Resurrected Christ, whose resurrection is making a difference, influencing and directing our work together. As ever — Canon Thomas Woodhouse, Team Rector Maundy Thursday Good Friday Easter Vigil Easter Day
Transcript of Dear Friends, Jesus’ body had been destroyed on...
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Dear Friends,
I have reproduced some of my Holy Week sermons for this month’s magazine; they weave together the themes we are starting to discuss in the Team and they encourage us to continue reflecting on Passion and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
At the Passover, as with the manna in the wilderness, the people must not store up provisions for tomorrow. (Exodus 12) They
are to trust God with the provisions for tomorrow, the Lord will provide in the morning! And they are to eat hurriedly, for it is the Passover of the Lord and there is no time to waste.
By trusting God the people will be delivered and this moment in their history will become “a day of remembrance.” We all have days of remembrance and those words reminded me of my baptism, they challenged to reflect on my discipleship: themes for all of us tonight.
Linked with Paul’s conversation with the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11), Holy Baptism and Holy Communion become focuses tonight: sacraments without which no discipleship can begin or be sustained. Paul’s words relate to actions the whole worshipping community is called on to share.
At the Eucharist we Gather as disciples; we receive, through the Liturgy of the Word, inspiration and encouragement; in the Liturgy of the Sacrament we are nourished by the body and blood of Jesus so that, once Dismissed, we can go and live our Christian discipleship.
On Maundy Thursday we place an additional action at the heart of the Eucharist; the washing of feet: we highlight that discipleship means being a servant. This is the model of leadership we must reflect: one that leads by example; that encourages and generates confidence and hope in a God who influences and directs our common life.
“Like a lamb that is led to the slaughter and like a sheep that before the shearer is silent so he did not open his mouth.” (Isaiah 52) We have
assumed that the author in Isaiah is referring to a Messianic figure – a servant of God - and while, of course, Jesus is not mentioned, we have chosen to interpret these passages as pointing to Jesus Christ and set them at the heart of Good Friday.
The Servant of God that Isaiah portrays contrasts with the high priest in Hebrews, “We do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses - our leader has been tested in every way” (Hebrews 4 and 5), but without sin and has made it possible for us to approach the throne of grace.
The throne of grace we approach is the cross – the place of shame transformed by Jesus’ commitment to humanity into a place of hope, where even we can be transformed!
Jesus’ body had been destroyed on Friday, Good Friday; on Saturday, Holy Saturday, Jesus’ body, destroyed by such an ugly
death, lay limp on the cold stone of the dark tomb while his spirit descended to the region of the dead.
On Easter Day the prophecy is fulfilled, the body of Jesus is raised from the dead. The new, glorious temple of Christ’s risen body beckons all of humanity to step through the open doors of Jesus’ wide embrace into the Holy of Holies of God’s glorious presence.
It is women who first step over the threshold of Jesus’ wide embrace and they worship him. Jesus links their worship with a challenge to become evangelists; “Do not be afraid, go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.” (Matthew 28)
Jesus doesn’t say don’t hold me, instead he says “GO” – he accepts their worship and he encourages them to act. In the Renewal of our Baptism Vows we acknowledge that our response to the Resurrection is one of evangelisation and mission – we must go and tell others about Christ.
We are to reflect the love of God in such a way that people feel compelled to join in the journey. “Go forth and tell God’s love embraces all; he will in grace respond to all who call; how shall they call if they have never heard the gracious invitation of his Word?”
Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb (John 20), she goes to Peter and John who come to the tomb but depart without meeting
Jesus! It is a wonderful story of action and reflection; Mary encounters the gardener because she has stopped! We should expect to find Jesus but we need to create space for such encounters!
Jesus makes a difference but only if we stop long enough to see where he is! Bishop Nicholas reminds us, ‘Our mission, discipleship and service of God is about looking for what God is doing in the world and joining in.’
During Holy Week and Easter we experience a rich tapestry of liturgical actions across the Team, but their meaning is diminished if we don’t let them make a difference; if we don’t let the truths they point to transform us and renew us; challenge our perceptions and alter our direction of travel.
We need to build on the relationships we have and be confident as worshipping communities so that we can continue to be a flourishing Anglican presence across Dorchester and beyond.
Easter Day is not about giving thanks for a Resurrected Christ whose resurrection is just an historic event; it is about celebrating a Resurrected Christ, whose resurrection is making a difference, influencing and directing our work together.
As ever — Canon Thomas Woodhouse, Team Rector
Maundy Thursday
Good Friday
Easter Vigil
Easter Day
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Dorchester Noticeboard?
Mothers’ Union Visitors and newcomers welcome
at all of our meetings.
Thursday 1 May Dorcas MU meet at 7.30pm at 10 Weatherbury Way. Preparation for Diocesan President’s Walk event to be held in Weymouth on 29 May. Details 260592.
Tuesday 6 May St. Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the hall. Details 267724.
Wednesday 14 May Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 28 Maiden Castle Road. To Safeguard Creation& Sustain/Renew the Life of the Earth. Deuteronomy 26: 1-15. Details 260259.
Wednesday 28 May Dorcas MU Bible Study group meet at 10am at 4 Kingsbere Crescent. Sowing the Future Together: Good Soil. Matthew 13: 3-9. Details 260259.
Thursday 29 May Dorchester & Weymouth Deaneries MU – Publicity event in and around St. Mary’s Church, St. Mary Street, Weymouth, 11am -2pm, further details in article elsewhere in Magazine. Details 260259.
Tuesday 3 June St. Peter’s MU meet at 2.15pm in the hall. Details 267724.
Dorchester Noticeboard?
THE THURSDAY GROUP PLEASE JOIN US - ALL WELCOME
Thursday 8th May
This month we are looking forward to a visit from Adrian Downton who will be entertaining us with a
talk ‘My Life in Films’, bringing with him some photographs of well known film stars such as Cary
Grant, James Mason, etc. We start at 2.15pm in St. George’s Church Hall and finish with time to chat and
a cup of tea and biscuits around 4pm. Everyone welcome. Charge £1.
For more information, contact: Vernon Moffet 259755
Casterbridge Speakers Meet on the 1st and 3rd Wednesday of every month 7.15pm — 9.30pm, at the Wessex Royale Hotel, High
West Street, DT1 1UP . Visitors welcome
CHRISTIAN MEDITATION Contemplative Reflection and Silence
An invitation to ‘come and be’ with others in the stillness, silence and simplicity of contemplative prayer.
Our Meditation groups meet every Wednesday at 5pm in the Chapel at St Mary’s Church, Edward Rd,
Dorchester & also on the 2nd & 4th Thursdays at 7.30pm at the Quiet Space, Poundbury. All welcome.
For details contact Rosemary 262615 or Anita 259032
Monday Home Bible Study Group
After an extended break since Christmas, the Group will start again on Monday 12th May at 30 Grosvenor Rd. Meetings begin with refreshments at 7.30pm and finish at 9pm sharp. We are a relaxed informal group,
and we welcome any newcomers. At the suggestion of one of the group we have been
thinking of looking at the seven “I am” sayings of Jesus – if anyone knows of a simple outline source of biblical
material that might help us with this, please contact Celia Robertson on 01305 257612.
There will be an exhibition of Wedding Gowns and Flowers
At St Mary’s Church
On 2nd, 3rd, 4th & 5th May 10.30am–3pm
Refreshments available
St Mary’s Church Edward Rd
MONDAY CLUB PROGRAMME FOR 2014
19th May – “Listen & Laugh” – Tony Holt 16th June – “Working with children with Autism” – Alison Crawford 21st July – Outing and Cream Tea to be arranged August – No Meeting 15th September – “The Women’s Refuge” – Mollie Rennie 20th October – “Talk on Italy” – Jill Minchin 17th November – “Inner Sanctums” – Rob Curtis 8th December – Christmas Lunch
CONCERT PROGRAMME FOR 2014
Saturday 17th May – 7.00pm – Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Saturday 24th May – 7.30pm – Occasional Singers Concert Saturday 31st May – 7.30pm – Cor Meibion De Cymru Concert with Casterbridge Male Voice Choir Saturday 5th July – 7.30pm – Hardye’s School Concert
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Hang On In There Sharing & caring group for parents with challenging
teenagers — meets fortnightly
Hang On In There invites you to a Drugs Awareness Evening led by Dorset Police.
To be held in the main hall at Dorset Youth Association, Lubbecke Way (next to Ambulance Station), Dorchester on Wednesday 21st May at 7pm.
We invite anyone who is curious, intrigued, interested, concerned about the dangers of drugs and who hope to be one step ahead in their children's lives. Parents with children of all ages, grandparents, professionals in children services etc. are all very welcome.
Free entry, plenty of parking, refreshments.
Limited spaces, please email [email protected] for further details and information
Rotary Club of Dorchester Present a concert by
The Royal Navy Volunteer Band
– HMS Heron (Yeovil) at The Corn Exchange, Dorchester Wednesday 14th May — 7.30 pm
Tickets £8 from
Nichol World Travel, High East St; Steptoes, South St, 250414; G Curtis,751979; or email
Sponsored by
Saturday 17th May —7.30pm St Mary’s Church Bridport
Bridport New Elizabethan Singers
Mozart — Requiem Mass Haydn – Nelson Mass
Tickets £12 from Goadsbys (Bridport); Bridport Music; Judith
Cowling, 07946271870; Nigel Culliford, 07824368117
Walk-a-Week: Mothers' Union's President Ann Howard will be walking the Wessex Ridgeway as a sponsored event for Mothers' Union. Along the way, members’ events will raise awareness and funds for projects such as Virtual Baby in senior schools, parenting groups, work in prisons and refuges, and holidays for families. Ann walks once a week between 10 March and 7 June and please pray for Mothers' Unions work with families.
Our route is Thursday 29th May 11am – 2pm Weymouth Seafront with Weymouth and Dorchester Deanery, for Family and Caravan Holidays ( Away from it all). To show your support visit Ann’s give.net page (https://my.give.net/salisburymu).
Alternatively you can send donations directly to the Fundraising Team, Mary Sumner House, 24 Tufton Street, London, SW1P 3RB.
The Children's Society has tickets for a Ben Waters concert (with special guests) to be held on Saturday 25th October. All proceeds from the concert are going to charity, one of those charities being The Children's Society.
The concert is to be held in Weymouth Pavilion from 7.30 - 11.00p.m. Ben Waters is a boogie blues and rock and roll piano player who lives locally when not touring the world. If anyone wishes to buy or reserve tickets which cost £20 please contact Dorothy Maggs (01305 262436).
Remembrance We will be gathering at
St. Mary’s Church, Edward Road, Dorchester, DT1 2HL on Sunday 1st June
to remember children who have died before, during and after birth.
If you would like to join us at any time between 2pm and 4pm, you will be very welcome.
This will be an informal occasion with music, candles to light, time for quiet reflection and refreshments.
If you have some special music on CD, or a poem, or a piece of writing that you would like us to use,
please bring these with you.
For any more information please contact: Judith (260592), Lauretta (268641) or Julia (251709)
CHRISTIAN AID WEEK — 11th—17th MAY — SEE CENTRE PAGES —
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St George’s Fordington
Messenger
Church Correspondent: Revd Fiona Hall 262394
Amy’s Antics
When walking at Maiden Castle, a para-glider soared above, drifting up and down on the thermals and going round and round in gentle circles, looking so relaxed and calm.
What an amazing view it must have had, and very different from those walking underneath.
It can be easy, especially when you’re spaniel size, to lose one’s perspective, and get upset. Sometimes we need a gentle reminder that others, including God, see things very differently.
When life is hard and painful it’s easy to think God does not care, or to become bitter and cynical or despair. And we’re in good company, Joseph wondered what God was doing when he was sold as a slave into Egypt, and the disciples were shattered when Jesus was crucified.
But God has a different perspective, Isaiah 55:8-9 tells us, ‘For my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways, my ways, says the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.’
God, like the para-glider, has a different perspective and, as Easter reminds us, God can bring transformation out of even our darkest moments.
Unlike the short sighted bird I told you of last month, the para-glider took it’s time finding the thermals and gently soared like an eagle. Like Christians who take time asking God to show them the bigger picture and then calmly trust him. Now I wonder how you land those things!
What’s on at St George’s in May
Thurs 1st 10am Holy Communion & coffee
Sat 3rd Lunch Club
Sun 4th 8am BCP Holy Communion 10:15 CW Holy Communion 12:30 Baptism
Thurs 8th 10am Holy Communion & coffee
Sun 11th 8am BCP Holy Communion 10:15 CW Holy Communion 6:30 Evensong
Tues 13th 7:30 Church Council
Thurs 15th 10am Holy Communion & coffee
Sun 18th 8am BCP Holy Communion 10:15 CW Holy Communion
Thurs 22nd 10am Holy Communion & coffee Thurs 29th 10am Ascension Day Holy Communion
Let Us Bray!
Debbie the Donkey, from Weymouth Beach, visited St George’s Church to help us celebrate Palm Sunday.
She joined in with gusto – braying at appropriate moments, and pitching the first hymn perfectly.
You might also like to know that the foal she was expecting last year was safely delivered and is a boy called Milo. Pictures—see over the page
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Palm Sunday at St George — Photos
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Welcome to Thomas and his family
On Saturday 22nd March, about a month after the formalities of the licensing service, the congregation of St Mary’s gathered in the hall to welcome Thomas (our vicar as well as the team rector), Kate,
Beatrice, Charlotte, Alice and Ann. Sixty people were there to enjoy the extensive and varied buffet supper which had been provided by Audrey and her team – a great main
course followed by a tempting array of desserts, bad for the cholesterol but too good to ignore! To round off the evening 4 of the ladies sang a welcoming song to the tune of ‘My Bonny lies over the Ocean’, one or two verses of which are included here. It succeeded in raising several laughs! It was a happy social occasion epitomising the welcoming atmosphere we hope St Mary’s provides, not only for the new rector but to everyone who comes to the church. We look forward to co-operating with Thomas in his (and his family’s) time and ministry with us and we hope he (and they) will be pleased that they came to Dorchester. We’re all here today to say welcome To our rector and his family We hope that you’ll be very happy And get used to Dorchester folk.
St Mary the Virgin
The Open Door
Chorus: Welcome, welcome To Thomas & Kate & their daughters Welcome, welcome We hope you’ll be happy with us! The catering ladies have worked hard To see that this evening goes well We hope that you all have enjoyed it As part of our welcome to you. Chorus – and so on for many verses!
Service dates for May
Sunday 4th May – 3rd Sunday of Easter 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist 6.00pm – Taize service Sunday 11th May – 4th Sunday of Easter 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist. Sunday 18th May – 5th Sunday of Easter 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist with St Osmund’s Kingdom Band. Pupils will contribute to the service and the new Head, Mr Jim Williams, will be commissioned. Sunday 25th May – 6th Sunday of Easter 8.00am – Mass 9.45am – Sung Eucharist Thursday 29th May – ASCENSION DAY 7.30pm – Sung Eucharist. Weekday Mass on Tuesdays at 9.30pm. Morning Prayer is said on Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Fridays at 9.00am The Contemplative prayer group meets each Wednesday at 5pm in the Blessed Sacrament Chapel and at the Quiet Space at 7.30pm on 8th & 22nd May
Robert
Potter
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Other events coming up
On the 19th May the Monday Club will meet in the Church Hall, Alexandra Rd from 2.30-4pm when our speaker will be Tony Holt who will give a talk entitled “Listen & Laugh”. All are welcome.
Concerts in St Mary’s There are 3 concerts in St Mary’s in May as follows. Saturday 17th May — 7.00pm Dorset Chamber Orchestra Concert Saturday 24th May — 7.30pm Occasional Singers Concert Saturday 31st May — 7.30pm Concert by Cor Meibion De Cymru with Casterbridge Male Voice Choir
An exhibition of Wedding Gowns, Veils, Photos and Flowers will be displayed in the church from Friday 2nd until Monday 5th May. The church will be open from 10.30 to 3 p.m. Please come and bring your friends – everyone is welcome !!
Sic Transit again…
Not really ‘glories’ but two more small historic items have disappeared this month. I had to dismantle the tree house that I built many years ago as some of the timber was rotting. As it came apart I remembered that the floor boards came from the Palace Cinema. How many
remember it? It stood in Durngate Street, opposite what is now the Dinosaur Museum, formerly All Saints Institute (or Church House?). Palace Court was built on its site. I used to park on the open space while waiting to collect Vanessa from the Guide meeting and was able to pick up discarded floor timbers when the site was finally cleared. But at last that bit of history has passed on.
The other was the demise of a tea chest. Nowadays house removers provide returnable, collapsible cardboard boxes but in the past tea chests were commonly used. Until recently we had several in the loft but about 3 years ago most were given to the Widlife Trust for conversion into Barn Owl nestboxes. I kept one and installed it in the garden in the hope of attracting overwintering hedgehogs – it didn’t work! This winter saw irreversible decay and as I pulled it apart with its layers of plywood and the remnants of its foil lining I appreciated the work that had gone into making this utilitarian object and I thought of the journeys it had made for us in various house moves, carrying china and glass and other household goods, of the journeys it had made for other people before us and of its original journey over the oceans from India or Ceylon, packed with tea destined for kitchen breakfasts, sitting room teas, canteens and restaurants. There’s a wealth of material there for those who are storytellers and have the required imagination. There can’t be many of these old chests left now – something else that has passed into history.
St Mary the Virgin — continued
“Forgive us our sins. As we forgive those who sin against us.” Many Christians find this instruction frightening. The Lord’s prayer allows
no exceptions. The first part is easier. God’s forgiveness of us. Penitent? We are forgiven immediately. Our crucified Lord loves us. Most can thank God and feel clean. Liturgical penitence. (Church services.) Harder to judge sincerity. Many Christians are O.K. Repenting actual sins and feeling clean. Sometimes we just have a feeling that we are somewhat horrid. That is usually sincere too. Our Lord hears and understands. But sometimes... It is easy to go out of the church door and repeat the same sins. Thoughtlessness is such a natural sin. Can Jesus forgive it? Our Lord is not facile. Salvation is free, not cheap. Sins are forgiven, not erased. Each one cost Him the cross. When we forgive others So hard to judge. Is our forgiveness genuine? (Family members are often the most difficult to forgive.) We can understand how and why we were sinned against.
But this is to condone, not to forgive. True forgiveness requires more than that. When Jesus forgave, it cost Him the cross. Psalm 49.7-8. “But no man may deliver his brother: nor make agreement unto God for him. For it cost more to redeem their souls: so that he must let that go forever.” Our forgiving, like His, should be free, not cheap. So it will cost us more than we have. We have no crucifixion to offer. We offer what we have. On Monday with great pain we forgive, and love the sinner. But we cannot keep it up. On Tuesday we hate the sinner and must fight the battle again. Poor, weak creatures that we are. Do not despair. The deep forgiveness that becomes love is a virtue. If we lack a virtue, we must ask for it, and God will give it to us. Eventually. We have to struggle. God uses it to make us grow. But one day, it arrives. Whole and perfect. The gift of God. We need help. There is someone who helped me. His mother, our Lady. She forgave and loved at the foot of the cross. Asking for her help might solve your problem.
Forgiveness
Tony
Wheeler
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Tear Fund asks people to speak out on Climate Change The recent Tear Fund message was about the latest instalment of the IPCC’s massive climate change report: ‘The main message is that we can’t stop the climate changing but we can limit how much warmer it gets to two degrees, which is the level we can probably cope with.
Humanity needs to act fast and countries need to work together, and the world’s economy will have to slow down very slightly, growing between 0.04 and 0.14% a year less than it would have. So it won’t cost the earth to save the planet, as the IPCC co-chair put it.
Please write to your MP, tell them that climate change is
The group has met regularly through out the year and the membership has grown, involving more churches and others concerned about our environment, changing climates and global warming. The wisdom and climate knowledge of members of the Hillfield Friary has been especially encouraging.
Our major event of the year was Earth Works day in August in the Dorford Centre, when over twenty Dorchester groups displayed their ecological work and activities, engaging with one another and with visitors from the churches and the community. Stella Jones, the Mayor, and Janet Smith, the Rural Dean, were questioned by young people, including our own Sian Franklin, about what their respective Council and Churches are doing to address the impact of climate change, its effect upon them and generations to come, and Alistair Chisholm, the Town Crier, gave us a rousing and inspiring cry.
We held a day’s retreat at the Quiet Space in January, and with the help of Jonathon Herbert, from the Friary, we refocused upon our work and plans for the coming year.
All of us have been affected in one way or another by the floods and gales of this winter and the evidence it provides of the changing weather systems, which are expected to worsen in the future if we do nothing to reduce our use of fossil fuels as individuals, communities, churches and businesses. Despite the evidence from climate science, some people remain unconvinced that our life styles and use of energy resources are contributing to global warming, which will drastically affect the world in our children’s and grand children’s lives. However this winter has convinced many of us, especially on the Somerset Levels and the Thames valley, that we can no longer afford to dispute theories about climate change. We have to act now to protect our planet - its homes, farms and businesses.
We are following the plans for wind farms in Charminster and the Transition Town’s activities at the Community farm in Poundbury and the Community Orchard which
Churches Together Ecology Group Report to the Benefice AGM 2014 are well worth a visit to see how sustainable life styles can be achieved by ordinary people like ourselves. A number of churches in Dorchester are considering investing in photovoltaic solar panels for their roofs to reduce their energy costs – free from their solar panels – and to provide extra income from the electricity they give to the grid. We are considering ways of using that extra income to support people in our community who are struggling to heat their homes.
We are encouraging our congregations in the following ways:
To find ways to use less energy – to walk, to cycle, to use public transport, to share car journeys; to insulate our homes, drawing upon government grants.
To recycle using all the new bins the council has provided, and to have a compost facility at the church garden for our garden waste.
To re-consider having photovoltaic panels on our church roofs, the rectory and vicarage roofs and church halls, drawing upon the experience of other churches in the diocese who have done this. It could save us paying for gas and electricity altogether and earn us some prophets too!
To join the Ecology Group contact John and Mary Foskett: Tel 264 955 Email [email protected]
urgent and important, and ask them to read the report summaries. It’s important that our political leaders understand how urgent climate change is, and that tackling it is good for our economy, health and happiness. It’s even more important to the economy, health and happiness of the world’s poorest people. The report gives us a huge opportunity to speak out on their behalf. Please pray that our leaders, and leaders in many countries, take the time to listen.’
For a short summary of the IPCC report see www.carbonbrief.org/blog/2014/03/the-new-ipcc-report-a-summary-for-everyone
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Some people CAN be helped
Some three years ago, a young woman, let us call her Tracy, turned up at a Service Point of First Dorset Credit Union in a sorry state: she had no
money; her partner had been committed to prison for a long stretch; she had no family support and three children well below school age.
Such people are difficult, indeed almost impossible to help, but we lent her a small amount of money to pay off her most pressing debts, which she dutifully paid back according to the agreed terms arranged with her. Shortly afterwards we lent her a bigger sum of money and that too was repaid without being harried.
Come up to the present day. What is the position with ‘Tracy’? She is saving money with FDCU and is now debt free! Her children are approaching school age and will be less of a tie during the day.
‘Tracy’ will apply to go to university at that stage. Assuming she is successful in that environent, that will
complete the rehabilitation of her life. With her intelligence and determination to overcome her massive problems, this is an example of how a voluntary organisations can give her the means to achieve her goals – and how ethical deposits such as readers of this magazine have made can create a difference.
If FDCU is able to lend the ‘Tracys’ and ‘Kevins’ of our area to good effect, the Archbishop’s challenge to drive Wonga and the like from society can happen. At present we have vacancies in a number of departments which need to be filled if we are able to provide the breadth of assistance throughout the area. All skills (and none in particular) are most welcome. Volunteering is a friendly activity with FDCU. There is a have a committed, small band of professionals to support the 100+ volunteers. Many tasks are not centred on our head office.
Come and talk to us.
Brian
Parkhurst
Archbishop Tutu challenges us to join a new kind of boycott “We can stop climate change if we use tactics that brought down apartheid.”
He writes at the time of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s report on the latest evidence
of humanity’s involvement in Global Warming. He says, “Years ago people could be excused for not knowing much, or doing much about climate change. Today we have no excuse. No more can it be dismissed as science fiction. We are already feeling the effects.”
Many in our country can testify to those effects this winter, effects which have been striking other parts of the world for many years.
“The bottom line is that we have 15 years to take the necessary steps. The horse may not have bolted, but it’s way through the stable door. Who can stop it? Well we can, you and I. And it’s not just that we can stop it, we have a responsibility to do so.” Desmond Tutu believes that God is commanding us to be responsible by transforming our desire “to consume everything of perceivable value – to extract every precious stone, every drop of oil. We live in a world dominated by greed…the interests of capital outweigh the interests of our earth.”
“It is clear those primarily responsible for accelerating climate change are not simply going to give up; they stand to make too much money. They need persuasion from the likes of us…There are many ways that all of us can fight against climate change… people of conscience need to break their ties with corporations financing the injustices of climate change. We can encourage
universities, cultural institutions and pension funds to cut their ties to the fossil-fuel industry. We can encourage energy companies to spend more on the development of sustainable energy products. We can press our governments to invest in renewable energy and stop subsidising fossil fuels. We don’t have to start from scratch. Young people from across the world have begun to do something about it;” our own YP@D and local schools amongst them.
The Churches Together Ecology Group* is challenging the churches of Dorchester to take a lead in the community with greener plans and policies. The roofs of our churches, halls and clergy houses cry out for photo-voltaic and water heating solar panels, which blend aesthetically with their slates and tiles. At St Mary’s we spent £6000 on electricity and gas last year. We could save much of this cost by converting to solar energy, and earn money from the excess energy put back into the national grid. Individually we can offer gifts and loans to enable our churches to fund these changes. If we did we would be in a strong position to persuade the Councils’ planning departments to introduce solar panels on all new buildings, like those planned in Charles Street, Poundbury and the Brewery site.
*Any and everyone is welcome to come to the Ecology Group. We are a diverse group with many different opinions about how best to tackle climate change. If you would like a lift or want to ask anything about the group do contact John or Mary Foskett on 264 955 or [email protected]
John &
Mary
Foskett
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Christian Aid Week 11 -17 May 2014 Christian Aid Week is a fundraising drive by the charity Christian Aid that sees millions of red collection
envelopes posted through letter boxes across the UK. The aim is to raise money for the charity's work in
developing countries with a focus on tackling poverty. Held every year since 1957, Christian Aid Week is Britain's longest-running fundraising week. Other areas of the charity's work include helping communities affected by natural disaster, political upheaval and HIV.
This year, the week will highlight the ways in which Christian Aid helps the growing number of people across the world for whom the horror of war is part of their daily life. Christian Aid is making a difference in so many areas to help the victims put their lives back together again.
The good news is that individuals, communities and churches can make a real difference this Christian Aid Week. Last year, a magnificent 20,000 churches across the country helped raise £12m (€14.3m) for Christian Aid Week. Thanks to your efforts, many more people can look forward to a future free from poverty.
Michael
Pain
SATURDAY 10 MAY Sponsored walk to the River Jordan (Weymouth) leaving from North Square, Dorchester at 9.30 am. About 18 miles to Bowleaze, Weymouth and back. Organised by Steve Ryder, St Peters Church. Walkers welcome for all or part of walk (which can be divided into six mile sections). Convenient bus services at different points en route to return. More details and a sponsorship form available from Steve Ryder on 01305 262839 or at [email protected].
SUNDAY 11 MAY (6.30 pm) United Service at St Peter’s Church, Dorchester Address to be given by Martin John Nicholls, National Church Project Manager for Christian Aid.
MONDAY 12—-SATURDAY 17 MAY House to house collection: volunteers are urgently needed so if there are people willing to cover a particular road where there are currently no collectors, please contact Revd Michael Pain on 213469
WEDNESDAY 14 MAY (9.45 am—1.30 pm) Annual Market to be held in United Church Hall presented by the churches working together. Stalls will include cakes, books, bric-a-brac, jewellery and groceries. Lunches will be served from 1200 pm onwards: a Ploughman’s + sweet + coffee for £5.00. Official opening by Councillor Stella Jones, Mayor of Dorchester.
Contact: Tony Boyden, 94 Mellstock Avenue, Dorchester DT1 2BH. 01305 268726. [email protected]
Local Programme
Emma’s Mystery by Young People @ Dorchester (YP@D)
Did you see this Passion Play in St George’s Church on Sunday 6th April? If not, you may have been watching (or even rowing in) the Boat Race. But you
missed a good show.
The play began with The Singer, the assured clear voice of Clara Tucker, setting the scene. “Emma’s Mystery” is the story of a young girl, Emma (Laura Harrold), having difficulty with her RE home work. She becomes confused by the birth, baptism and miracles of Jesus.Is it just a story or is it for real? Struggling with her understanding of this, she has little time for her mother’s boyfriend or the news of an approaching comet. She displays a feisty teenage tantrum before troublesome daydreams of Jesus’s life and miracles unsettle her further. Her doubts and belief become even more confused as Jesus (Calvin Connelly) visits the scene, making water into wine and healing the crippled man at the pool of Bethesda.
Calvin, as Jesus, plays a large part, for which fortunately he has a good memory. He takes Emma on a journey through his life and miracles. Gradually her belief in him being God’s Son is strengthened, before being crushed by
his death. At the end, she is visited by Mary Magdelene (Alice Stewart-Sykes), sister of a convincing Lazarus (John Stewart-Sykes) who confirms to her joy that Jesus, having paid the price of ‘death on a cross’ for us all, has beaten even death and is alive for us now.
The YP@D cast seemed more that just 10 young thespians, most having two or even three parts to play. They were enthusiastically assisted in their ten scenes by their leaders: Teresa Stewart-Sykes and Hilary Harold, whilst the important IT screen and sound were confidently handled by Lucy Connelly.
The other cast members all well earned their places, some parts being both technically and verbally involved. These were: Joshua Nugent, Ellie Greening, Isabel Harrold, Aidan Connelly and Callum Blair. Thanks too to the stage and props crew who worked efficiently to ensure that no gaps spoilt the flow.
Refreshments were served after the performance and a voluntary collection of £80 has been donated to the South Sudan Crisis Appeal. Congratulations YP@D & to your leaders.Well done indeed, when do we see you next?
Vernon
Moffet
11
Iraqi Visitor Tells of Transformation The transforming power of water and women’s representation on community bodies in war-torn northern Iraq was movingly told to Christian Aid supporters who gathered at Salisbury’s St Francis Church last week.
Sarjon Toma, of Christian Aid partner organisation REACH, had travelled from Iraq to talk of the life-saving work carried out in his region which has experienced decades of brutal warfare and violence.
He spoke of how a reservoir had brought stability, crops and livelihoods to the rural village of Zanan Bchuk and how having women on the village council was giving them a voice in a region where domestic violence and female genital mutilation was common.
In the audience was the Bishop of Ramsbury, the Rt Rev Ed Condry, who next month will embark on a solitary walk on the Wiltshire Downs in solidarity with those
around the world fleeing conflict and living in poverty and fear.
Bishop Edward said, “It was deeply humbling to hear of what Sarjon and his community have lived through – chemical warfare, bombings, siege and violence.
“Despite this backdrop he was inspired as a child to care for others in need and he and his organisation is living out that vision in challenging circumstances.
“REACH not only helps communities recover from war by assisting with infrastructure and economic opportunities but also empowers them to lobby government and supports the setting up of community councils.
“This Christian Aid Week (May 11-17) will look at its work to allow people to live a life free from fear and I hope people across Salisbury and Wiltshire will support it so that people such as those in Sarjon’s community are no longer powerless but have the tools to look to the future with hope.” Sarjon said, “Livelihood projects like the one in Zanan Bchuk are so important for the marginalised poor. Life in the village feels a lot safer. There is no longer the fear of violence, and the problem of drought has been solved.
“The change from fear and anxiety to peace and security has been a long one. I want to thank the people of the UK whose generosity has helped improved the lives of the people I work with, and to encourage them to carry on.”
Learn more at www.reach-iraq.org Article: www.Salisbury.Anglican.org Bishop Edward Condry speaks to Sarjon Toma
“Give People a Future Without Fear” cooking pots and plastic sheeting to serve as basic shelter. Then came something that could benefit them for a lifetime – money to build a brick home, which her husband Madut built.
Christian Aid is the church in action. It speaks out where others are silenced.
Christian Aid helps women like: Anoon Aleu, 36, grew up in the south of Sudan, but when, as a
child, militias set fire to her house killing most of her family, she fled to Khartoum in the north. For a while, life was good, but an explosion of violence against southerners left Anoon and her husband Madut facing an agonising choice: stay in north Sudan and live in fear for their six children or give up relative prosperity for freedom in Anoon’s former home, south Sudan.
Anoon did not expect life in the south — the scene of so much violence — to be easy. She explains: ‘When we arrived it was just bush. We spent seven days living under a tree. We did not have any shelter. David [Anoon’s son] kept asking me, “Why are we doing this? What are we doing here?”’
Christian Aid partner Hope Agency for Relief and Development (HARD) heard about the family’s desperate situation. HARD provided them with malaria nets,
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‘Don’t Let’s Beat Ourselves Up About Our Sufferings!’ - Part 1 In St John’s Gospel (9: 1-2) there is a story about a man born blind. His disciples ask him. ‘Rabbi, who sinned—this man or his parents—that
he was born blind?’
This is a question that humanity continues to ask. Who is to be blamed and shamed for my illness and my distress? Is it the failures of hospitals, politicians, international companies, tsunamis and starvation, the list is endless? Is it something in our blood or a genetic pre-disposition. Is it to do with the culture or society in which we live? Is it our religion’s fault? Or is it that we are living too long? Jesus’ answer is astonishing. Neither are to be blamed for the man’s blindness, rather it is so that the works of God can be made manifest. What an astonishing idea. Failures, sufferings and sins are God’s opportunity to reveal his works. According to John they are the signs which confirm his divinity. I want to explore this revolutionary idea through the words of George Herbert’s poem ‘Love’, and through the words of people suffering from mental and spiritual distress — part 1 in this month’s magazine and part 2 in June.
Love bade me welcome: yet my soul drew back, Guilty of dust and sin.
One of the most common experiences of those of us who are mentally or spiritually ill is the conviction that we are not welcome. Our illness and our behaviour separates us from others. Prejudice reinforces our sense of isolation and difference, feeding our guilt for being ill, as if our sickness is our own fault, our sin.
In the end I saw it their way, the guilt was mine So I tried—and battled—and pulled myself out of it—
And buried myself deeper, keeping me inside (Premilla Trivedi)
Stigma. The real mark, the one that does not fade
is not what people think or say, but the stain inside
the sick cell in the bone the constant damaging thought
that this machine is faulty this thinking can’t be trusted.
(Terry Simpson)
Treatments for depression and anxiety, those escalating mental and spiritual illnesses, concentrate on trying to help us overcome our guilty thoughts and the sins from which they are born. If we fail, as often we do, then guilt is multiplied by failure. Love’s welcome of us, whatever state we are in, is wonderful but also frightening. If Love really knew me, I would not be welcome. Our souls pull us back, protecting us from more failure and disappointment.
But quick-ey’d Love, observing me grow slack From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning, If I lacked any thing.
Quick-ey’d Love reminds me of the shepherd who leaves the ninety and nine to find the one sheep, who is lost, and who ‘truly rejoices over it more than over the ninety and nine that never went away.’ Echoed too in that most beautiful of parables the prodigal son. (Matt 18:13, Luke 15:11-32). While he was at a distance the Prodigal’s father saw him and had compassion and ran and embraced him. Love chases us, seeking us out wherever we are lost or in hiding, and especially when we are beating ourselves up!
A guest I answer’d, worthy to be here: Love said, ‘You shall be he.’ I the unkind, ungrateful?
Ah my dear I cannot look on thee.
Christianity, as practiced in both Catholic and Protestant traditions, has much to answer for regarding the unworthiness we can feel and believe about ourselves. Beautiful as the prayer of humble access is, it sounds a common note of humanity’s worthlessness. ‘We are not worthy so much as to gather up the crumbs under your table.’ Reflects the miserable Lenten litany we said on Ash Wednesday. How can this be? We are made in God’s image, recognised as good in creation, and thought worthy to eat his body and drink his blood in remembrance of him.
Psychotherapy has done much to help reclaim our projections of all goodness onto God, and all badness onto ourselves. Surely it is a blasphemy not to recognise the good in ourselves and the bad in God as well as its opposite. Love knows our worthiness even when we don’t, and joyfully welcomes us into Love’s presence. George Herbert delighted in hospitality as always a celebration of Love’s company. Part 2 next month.
John
Foskett
13
St Peter’s High West Street · Dorchester
Vicar: The Revd Vicky Thurtell 268767 Churchwardens: Mr Brian Hellin 268844 and Mr Mike Nisbett 260983
Services in May
Sundays — 9am BCP Communion 10:30am Sung Eucharist
St Peter’s AGM
New Church Council Members: Welcome into the Church Council – Jill Bryant, Diana Nicholls and Roy Chapman. Thank you to Rosemary Briggs after three years on the council.
Wardens Brian Hellin and Mike Nisbett were re-elected Churchwardens.
Thanks to all who made Holy Week and Easter so special.
Theology/Ecclesiology Discussion Group
The possibility of a discussion group around the issue of being church in this generation, our current context..in the 21st century has excited great interest. There will be initial meetings as follows:
Thurs 8th May — 7:30pm, at St Peter’s Vicarage 38 Herringston Road Fri 9th May — 10:30am, again at the Vicarage Sat 10th May — 10:30am, St Peter’s Church hall
If you are not available to attend any of the above and would like to be involved then please contact the Vicar: [email protected] or 268767
Future dates for diaries:
Sunday 11 May — 6.30pm, Christian Aid service at St Peter’s for Churches Together in Dorchester Area
Saturday 17 May — 6pm, Salisbury Cathedral CONFIRMATION service - two from St Peter’s currently in preparation: Jules and Susie in our prayers.
Ascension Day Thursday 29 May — 7AM, Tower Top service Pentecost Sunday 8 June — 6:30pm Choral Evensong Saturday 14 June — 11.30am
Wedding (and communion) Jed Germodo and Sammie Bickel
Saturday 21 June — 2pm Wedding of Matthew and Lovey
Sunday 22 June — 10.30am, Farewell to Alison Whiting, who will move to St Mary’s Church after ordination and where Team Rector Thomas will be her training incumbent. If you would prefer to go by coach to her ordination (see below) and you haven’t already signed the list or asked for your name to be put on it £13 per seat - please contact June Jenkins in the Parish Office: 250719 [email protected]
Ordinations Sunday 29 June — 10.30am Ordination of Deacons at Salisbury Cathedral.
Two Lenten Courses
We were lucky enough to have a choice of two Lenten courses in our Benefice.
Michael Insley’s ‘The Lord’s Prayer‘ was held in St Peter’s Church Hall and Jane Culliford held ‘Poetry in Lent’ in St George’s Hall. In addition, Brother Sam is currently leading a four-part course on the life of St Francis which finishes in June.
Michael led us through The Lord’s Prayer in four stages. The first concentrated on Our Father, His name, and His kingdom. We discussed the four versions in the Gospels. The second took us through God’s provision and our human needs, particularly our daily bread, and the third centred round forgiveness. Michael quoted from a recent interview with Desmond Tutu, and emphasised retribution; we don’t need to like the person we forgive, but should wish them no harm. And finally he discussed temptation, asking God not to lead us into something we can’t cope with.
Minna St
Aubyn
14
Being Michael, he referred to classical names, translations and texts, but in a way that the non-classicists among us understood and felt free to ask questions.
Thank you Michael. I’m sure I’m not the only one who now lingers longer over each sentence in this familiar prayer, remembering his interpretations.
I was only able to attend the first session of ‘Poetry in Lent’. It was a gentle time, we each bought one or two poems, read them out and then heard the groups’ comments. The poems were not necessarily religious; most were chosen for personal reasons, or for their wit or symbolism. A great way to raise us above prosaic levels so that we reflected – so right for Lent.
Brother Sam’s course ‘The World turned upside down’ is half way through. So far we have discussed St Francis’ youth, his rebellion, his year as a hermit, and living in a leper colony; and his priorities; share everything, live as brothers and sisters, work manually, respect all.
It makes for a reflective, absorbing day once a month, in the beauty of Hilfield’s grounds, with Holy Communion thrown in.
So, this Lent, I may have failed miserably with my Lent resolution, but these courses have strengthened my resolves to forgive, to share, and to love one another as the Lord loves each of us.
St Peter — continued
The need for almshouses in Dorchester arose after the great fire of 1613 which destroyed 170 houses (about half the town). The Revd John White inspired three new charities funded by
John Whetstone (1614), mercer and bailiff of Dorchester, left £500 to provided almshouses for 4 married couples. Sir Robert Napper (1615), Dorset landowner, left land and rents to provide for 10 poor men. Margaret Chubb (1620), widow of Matthew Chubb, bailiff of Dorchester and MP left £400 for 10 poor women
400 years later, these charities still continue, accommo-dating 34 residents, many of them in their 80’s and 90’s. The almshouses are no longer on their original sites, although Dorchester people all know the historic South Street landmark of Napper’s Mite. Today our Dorchester almshouses are beautifully situated in West Walks in relatively up-to-date buildings, next to the Victorian Borough gardens and close to the Town Centre.
There is still a very real need for almshouses. They provide first and foremost for older people from our own community. Trustees, including the Mayor of Dorchester, are all local people. Applicants may be in need for a variety of reasons – low income, unforeseeable financial difficulties, disability, bereavement, isolation, homelessness, frailty and advancing age.
To celebrate this 400th anniversary, we aim to improve the long term independence of the residents by :- Removing many of the steps and improving the level access to the flats and gardens Improving access for users of wheelchairs, zimmer frames and mobility scooters Improving the gardens to provide interest and variety throughout the year, including sensory flower beds for those who are partially sighted or have memory loss Redesigning the garden area as a social area with garden “rooms”, a water feature, shaded areas, benches
and raised flower beds for residents who would like to do some personal gardening
Providing an enclosed mobility scooter store
The total that needs to be raised is £50,000. Donations can be sent to: The Clerk’s Office, Whetstones, West Walks, Dorchester, DT1 1AW. (Please make cheques payable to Dorchester Municipal Charities.) Or donate on-line: http://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/ Search for Chubb, Whetstone and Napper’s Almshouses
Help us celebrate a unique piece of Dorchester history in this very special year. If you would like to know more about the history of the almshouses, we can provide a speaker for organisations.
This is probably one of Dorchester’s oldest charities – bought by the community for the community.
Celebrating 400 years of Dorchester Almshouses in 2014
Dorchester, Sherborne & District Citizens Advice Bureau is looking for a new Chair of Trustees. The CAB is a charity which offers free & independent advice on many issues, including debt, benefits, employment & housing.
Peter Mann, known to people in Dorchester in so many capacities and our next Mayor, is the charity’s Vice Chairman and recommends this enjoyable and challenging role: ‘This is a golden opportunity. It is a voluntary role and a major role in this community. It is hard to think of another organisation that is working for the good of the community across so many fronts. It is a marvellous organisation with a strong team spirit. It is evident that there are more and more people who need support and help.’
The Chair would need to spend an average of 1 day a week in a flexible arrangement. The position needs someone with leadership skills who can give a clear direction in shaping the future of advice in an environment of increasing client demand and pressure on resources.
For more information, please see the advert on page 6.
15
Dates for May
Sunday 4th May 10am Parish Communion Sunday 11th May 10am Morning Prayer Sunday 18th May 10am Parish Communion Sunday 25th May 9am Holy Communion 10am Come and Worship
Children’s Activity Morning
We had planned lots of activities, drama and craft but we did not have lots of children. However Holly enjoyed herself in the sunshine (so did Esther and Jane).
Traditions Old and New
Activity is not only for children. On Mothering Sunday we ‘clypped’ the church: this is an old tradition when the congregation, the family of the church, joined hands around the outside of church embracing their Mother church. There were too few present to join hands but we circled the church during a hymn. The Palm Sunday procession is another old tradition and gathering at the bottom of Floyer’s Field after a prayer and Gospel reading we processed back into the church with palms held high. On Good Friday we walked again from St Andrew’s to St George’s carrying a simple cross.
St Andrew’s Church
West Stafford Church Correspondent: Revd Jane Culliford
Rogationtide is at the end of May — perhaps we can start a new tradition by walking around the Parish boundaries, if we can find the map! This is a well established tradition elsewhere. Church is often seen as the place where people sit still in rows or stand still to sing, so it is good to walk and keep traditional activities alive.
Pentecost Songs of Praise with Cream Tea
At Pentecost, on 8th June, as well as our usual 10am Parish Communion, there will be a Songs of Praise service at 4.30pm following a Cream Tea from 3pm. Since Pentecost is the birthday of the church we shall also share a birthday cake. In previous years this has been an enjoyable occasion to eat and to worship together.
Village Fete
Advance notice: West Stafford Village Fete will be held on Saturday 5th July 12-3.30 in the Village Street with Ferret racing and Fun Dog Show, stalls, music and food. The church will welcome visitors and offer a chance to rest and be quiet and maybe keep cool if it is as hot at last year. There will be a prayer trail around the church but we shall also have a stall selling gifts and toys and advertising our Teddy Bear Parachuting event.
Teddy Bear Parachuting
Following the success of last year’s event we are inviting brave teddies to parachute from the church tower again this year on Saturday 26th July from 3pm. Put the date in your diary and start experimenting with parachute designs so your teddy drops slowly and safely. Further details will follow next month.
16
The Rev Richard Press presided over our Easter Communion – and because we had several small children in the congregation, he ditched the first sermon he had prepared, and geared his talk to the younger element most successfully. It involved an Easter egg which (not as intended) simply would not break to order and he had to borrow a walking stick from one of the older members present to bash it open so that it could be shared. The parish has two exciting events to look forward to in May: the first our annual Rogation Service on Sunday 18th May, when we shall be blessing the crops and livestock, this time on Monkton Farm. We shall meet as usual at 11.15am, and we anticipate good participation for children and adults alike as we oversee and bless all the farming activities.
St Simon & St Jude Winterborne Monkton
Church Correspondent: Ursula Norman
The second is the Coffee Morning on Tuesday 20th May from 10am – 12 noon at Southmead, Winterborne Monkton, DT2 9PR. This is our main money-raising event for the year, and we should be grateful for any contributions for the stalls – plants, home-made produce (cakes, jams, pastry etc) books, raffles etc (but no white elephant) and of course on the day we should be very glad of your presence to come and buy. Also coming up — Music and Marriage — Marriage—themed flower festival with music, in the Church over the weekend of June 21/22.
School Holidays
Anyone who has cared for children as many years as I will understand that we need to stamp very quickly on the Secretary of State for
Education’s mad request for longer school hours and no summer break. Michael Gove MP quotes two countries where child suicide is high, education hours long and pressurised. He dismisses the European countries where school holidays are longer than the UK and school hours although different are not long and results higher. We had to suffer children being in pre-school from 3 years and staying until 18 all to raise standards so that has obviously not worked as I for one never believed it would. Government have taken away from children the time to be babies and smalls and made them into school children. We keep adults of 18 -23 in education — why?Mostly to cover the fact we have failed our teachers and our families. For many years there has not been sufficient funding for education overall. We will soon have provision for post maternity ward care where children visit parents for the weekend and Government aims to educate them for the rest of the time and results will fall. Thousands of times I hear parents say, “It’s getting to the end of term, end of the school year, they are tired.” Not just physically tired but mentally burnt out.
School holidays may be and are a difficult time for some working parents, but NO, Mr Gove, it is not a vote winner to say removing summer holidays and extending the school day will be welcomed, if it is I wonder how much some parents really understand their children. Perhaps the pressures of life and keeping the home together are understandably overcoming this. What will be welcomed I am sure is money spent to provide recreation for school holidays, where parents can find childcare support for children to play, explore and relax in the holidays. If you have never spent significant time in a school you will be forgiven for not understanding the incredible pressure of the job. If you have a 4 year old or a 15 year old, times that by 40 and consider would you function well 5 days a week for 8/9 years of never being away from them. Holidays are not a bonus for teachers, they are vital to ensure we have fully functioning vibrant people with our children, shaping their future. We reap what we sow, and when the time come to assess these poor little ones who are put in school at 8am and brought home at 6 pm and have fewer breaks with no memories to sustain them of long summer days of freedom, we will have joined those nations (for example the Chinese) whose children are depressed and lack many of the joys our children have and are finally told how many children there may be in a family. Children, teachers, I weep for you.
Margaret
Morrissey
17
CHURCHES TOGETHER
DORCHESTER
Compiled by Val Potter
264416
Walk of Witness
Following the cross on a silent walk through the town helped many people from different churches to consider the sacrifice of Jesus and all that Good Friday means for us and for the world. We paused for readings and prayers for those involved in conflicts around the world, for those in difficulty locally and for those who can influence how our town and community can develop. This year’s walk was planned by the River of Life Church and St Peter’s.
Can You Help?
The Dorchester Poverty Action Group is making a plea for extra support for those in the Dorchester area who are in the greatest need.
Changes in the Benefit system have led to increased demand as some people have absolutely no income for the weeks while they are assessed or re-assessed so funds are becoming depleted. In their Annual Report DPAG list the kinds of assistance they have offered, including the Christmas food vouchers and small grants for such items as clothes for work, baby equipment, nursery fees for families in crisis, removal costs, travel costs to visit hospitals, particularly distant specialist hospitals, 3 Debt Relief Orders (£90 each), and basic furniture costs from Dorset Reclaim (though the Hub covers this for those moving into accommodation from homelessness). As Margaret Barker, Chair of DPAG, explains:
For the past 20 years we have been able to rely on donations from the local churches (in the town and the villages), from a few generous individuals and from local grant-making bodies to keep enough money in our bank to ensure that we can meet each appropriate request that comes to us. Many of these sources have dried up – though we are indebted to the Alice Ellen Cooper-Dean Trust and the Roberts Trust who never let DPAG down – and our end-of-year bank balance is lower than it has been for many years at only just over £9,000. If we set aside money at our usual rate for Christmas supermarket vouchers we shall not have enough money to see us through the year. Dorchester Poverty Action Group is therefore asking everyone – individuals, churches, community organisations and grant-makers - to ask themselves if they can give a small sum to top up its funds?
It is our experience that several small donations, especially
if they become regular ones, make a huge difference so we are not asking for large amounts. We do want to ensure we can continue to serve this community throughout 2014 as well as we have done for the past 20 years. Contact DPAG on [email protected].
The Quiet Space
During part of Lent we experimented with offering different materials to aid reflection. It was well received and we hope to repeat or extend those ideas.
It was good to offer tea and cake to those who had completed the ecumenical Pilgrim Walk around Maiden Castle with Bishop Graham during Lent. People commented on the peacefulness of the place and the beauty of the garden.
The Quiet Space will now be open at weekends as well as during the week for the summer, from 10.00am - 4.00pm. Although Companions will not be on duty visitors who wish to speak to someone may contact clergy on the list in the Gathering area.
A Time for Peace
Come and join us for a short time of reflection on peace in the Borough Gardens, Tuesday 6th May at 12midday. Reflections will be led by Colin Tracy (Buddhist), Anthony Garvey, (Quaker), and the Christian contributor is the rector, Thomas Woodhouse.
Ecology Group
The group aims to highlight climate change issues and circulate relevant reports, ideas and links. If you want to be on the distribution list and become an active supporter/campaigner in your own church, contact me, Val Potter on [email protected] . For more on the Churches Together Ecology Group and this important issue, see the articles on page 15 and 17.
Christian Aid Week 11-17 May
The focus this year is the human cost of conflict. In some of the world’s toughest places Christian Aid is standing with people affected by conflict and violence, helping them to get the basics to rebuild their lives. More details on centre pages.
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My lovely grandson Rocco had a first sleepover i.e. went to stay with a friend for the night. This little friend happens to live on a farm. All was
well and next morning the boys went off to do what 8 year old boys do best, explore. Rocco came across a rather nasty but to him invitingly filthy “puddle” and instead of avoiding it he, as he would, went straight in the middle. The puddle turned out to be slurry — not deep or seriously dangerous of course but as he described it to me, “It was alright my friend dug me out with a spade and then we put my wellingtons in a bucket of water and it was okay”.
Now anyone who has had an encounter with slurry will know it impregnates everything it touches and takes more washing than two boys dipping boots in a bucket of water to remove the smell, the lining soaks up the odour. He was persona non grata for some time after the event.
He then came round the following day to help me use my rechargeable carpet sweeper. He sucked up his rubber shoe which got caught in the machine making the most awful noise and he let go of the handle. It them whirled itsself around the room like a cat on a hot tin roof until we could catch it and switch it off, shoe fine, the sweeper just lived to be used again. He makes “Just William” look like a pussy cat.
Rocco last seen on Easter Sunday morning perched on top of two kneelers he had put on a chair in St Mary’s church, at which the Rector had taken the children to the Easter Garden and explained the Easter story to them, also saying at the end of the service there would be an Easter Eggs hunt. He pondered all this and was quiet for a while, I was so impressed waiting for a profound question, when he whispered “Will the Rector say Ready Steady Go” for hunt to begin, I despair.
How children perceive their Grandparents
Grandma was in the bathroom, putting on her makeup, under the watchful eyes of her young granddaughter, as she'd done many times before. After she applied her lipstick and started to leave, the little one said, "But
A Month in the Life of a Grandma Grandma, you forgot to kiss the toilet paper good-bye!" I will probably never put lipstick on again without thinking about kissing the toilet paper good-bye.
My young grandson called the other day to wish me Happy Birthday. He asked me how old I was, and I told him, 80. My grandson was quiet for a moment, and then he asked, "Did you start at 1?"
After putting her grandchildren to bed, a grandmother changed into old slacks and a droopy blouse and proceeded to wash her hair. As she heard the children getting more and more rambunctious, her patience grew thin. Finally, she threw a towel around her head and stormed into their room, putting them back to bed with stern warnings. As she left the room, she heard the three-year-old say with a trembling voice, "Who was THAT?"
A grandmother was telling her little granddaughter what her own childhood was like. "We used to skate outside on a pond. I had a swing made from a tire; it hung from a tree in our front yard. We rode our pony. We picked wild raspberries in the woods." The little girl was wide-eyed, taking this all in. At last she said, "I sure wish I'd gotten to know you sooner!"
My grandson was visiting one day when he asked, "Grandma, do you know how you and God are alike?" I mentally polished my halo and I said, "No, how are we alike?'' "You're both old," he replied.
All supplied by Vernon Moffet
Margaret
Morrissey
“Kindness is the language the blind can see and the
deaf can hear.”
An
n O
nym
us
Always make a dignified entrance
19
cracks in the cabin logs . But most of all, darkness. Darkness so complete even the pale-lit hours would be choked”. Two things happen to make the winter bearable. The first is the support of their neighbours George and Ester Benson and their sons, they come to give practical assistance and show Mabel and Jack how to make it through. The second is the arrival of the snow child. No figment of imagination but a child who has lived with her father in the woods until his death and who is initially seen flitting in and out of the trees and who is surviving by herself in the woods. Faina comes to live with Jack and Mabel through each winter leaving to return to the woods in the spring. Mabel comes almost to believe that Faina is the snow-child of the tale but Jack knows otherwise and the story follows the two of them as they come gradually to accept the gift that Faina brings them with all its limitations.
This is Eowyn Ivey’s first novel. The writer lives in Alaska and her knowledge of the State and its climate gleams through. It is not a great novel but it is compulsively readable. I read it at one sitting. Mabel and Jack are strong characters with whom it is easy to sympathise and in Faina, Eowyn Ivey creates a heroine who stays outside reality but creates believable magic.
“The Snow Child” By Eowyn Ivey (PB Little Brown £6.95)
Arthur Ransome is best known for his stories of idyllic childhood in the Swallows and Amazons series set in the Lake District. His own background was
somewhat different. In 1913 he travelled to Russia to study Russian folk tales which he published in 1916 under the title of “Old Peter’s Russian Tales”, one of these was a retelling of the little daughter of the snow. It tells how an old childless couple fashion a snow girl who comes alive. She lives with them during the winter, always keeping herself cold and away from fire and heat. One day she runs into the forest and gets lost, she does not trust the wolf or the bear who offer her help to guide her home but does trust the red fox who leads her safely back asking only for the gift of a hen as a reward. However the old couple are loath to give up one of their hens and trick the fox, when the snow maid finds out she leaves them bereft saying “Old ones, now I know that less you love me than a hen!”
Eowyn Ivey has used this tale as the basis for her novel “The Snow Child”, set in Alaska in 1920. It tells of Mabel and Jack a childless couple, nearing 50, who have left the comfort of Pennsylvania, sold the share in Jack’s inherited farm to buy a property in the frozen north. Mabel is the daughter of a Professor of Literature and she and Jack have wanted to come to Alaska “to do things for ourselves, to break your own ground and know it’s yours, free and clear. Nothing taken for granted”. They have packed up and travelled by train to the West Coast then by steamship from Seattle to Seward and by train again to Alpine. At the beginning of the story they are about to face their second winter with barely enough money to get them through and this time they know just how hard it is likely to be. “cold upon the valley, glacial wind through the
Jean
Lang
Bookworm “Once upon a time”
Editor’s Comment
On Easter Day, Frank (4 years old) received his Blessing/ Holy Communion — a grape. “Can I eat it?” “Yes, it will make you good.” “Do you have a grape at the altar and then are you good, Grandma?” From the mouth of babes. I will kneel at the altar each Sunday now with his words in my ears and ask, have I been a good Christian? Can I be better?
Editor Margaret Morrissey OBE
9 Hessary Street, Poundbury Dorchester DT1 3SF
01305 250366 [email protected]
Advertising Manager Liz Green
7 Sydenham Way, Dorchester DT1 1DN
01305 269610 [email protected]
Production Editor Lucy Connelly
15 Came View Road Dorchester DT1 2AE
01305 751249 magazine@lucy—connelly.co.uk
Magazine Copy
All copy for consideration by the Editor for publication should be sent to [email protected], or by mail to Margaret Morrissey OBE, 9 Hessary Street, Poundbury, Dorchester, DT1 3SF, to arrive not later than the 20th of the month. There are no publications in August or January.
