January 2020 News & Notes

Our local Women's Refuge thanks us for our support. They provide a vital service for families facing domestic abuse, and are careful to respect their privacy.

St Francis Church hosted confirmation of 7 candidates, and was beautifully led by Bishop Karen. Because the night was still she invited those just confirmed to take their candles [or light-sabres as suggested in her sermon] to shine God's love in the darkness. Our thanks to all involved.

Samaritans do a cracking job especially this time of year when many become depressed by a number of factors: short daylight, post Christmas, and cold. We give them regular support.

Worship at St Andrew's School takes many forms, and is led by a number of different people. Fantastic displays around the school illustrate particular topics. The link between St Andrew and Christmas has been explored. He was the first to understand that Jesus was the Messiah, and told his brother Peter to follow him. He understood Jesus as both human and divine, a bit like using 3D glasses to get a better depth of vision.

The Kelly bequest to the Mission Hall is much appreciated, and the Trust is thinking how best to improve facilities. Rev'd Kelly lived for some time in Sevenacres Road but retired to Bridport. His ashes were laid to rest with his parents' grave in St Andrew's churchyard.

Alice Davison-James was baptised at St Andrew's, and afterwards her mother Anna posed with John and Norah Tallon who taught her at the Church School.

Interviews for our new Team Vicar take place at the end of March, with shortlisting on 11 March. As part of this process we will need to complete our Team Constitution which will need to be signed off at our 2020 APMs. Do pray for all involved, and for those keeping things going at St Francis meantime.

A working lego model of a church bell can now be used to demonstrate how the rope turns the bell right over, and how timing is changed by pulling harder to slow down or softer to speed up. If you're interested in ringing do join a practice night at Preston or Upwey.

December 2019 News & Notes

Join in any service any time but particularly over Christmas. There's a huge range published in the Register or on www.ridgeway.org.uk ; and a very Happy Christmas to you an yours.

We love taking weddings and each is different according to the couple's tastes. Here Christopher Comben & Stacey (nee Hodge) celebrate in glorious sunshine outside St Andrew, Preston.

What's Carol holding? It featured in St Osmund's harvest display, and was noticed by the congregation when they walked around the church as part of their prayers for thanks. It's a lotus flower seed head, just part of one imaginative display. Thanks to 'Flower Power' for all their time and skills in our seven sister Churches.

Sometime soon wedding registration will change and about time too. At the moment only fathers' details are recorded, so mothers will feature in the revamp. The method allowing church weddings to take place will change too, with computer records coming to the fore. Church of England ministers act as registrars, so we make sure everything is decent and legal!

November 2019 News & Notes

Addie Rose Hambling was baptised in the Church Rooms in a family friendly setting, and where everyone joined in the singing and activities. The foyer was set up as a baptistery.

Groom and best man arrived in style for the marriage of Aaron Lees and Rebecca Small. Supporters and family included many children who joined in the occasion with enthusiasm, which made for a happy homely wedding.

Mo Gardner was given a special farewell at Weymouth Crematorium where her beautifully decorated coffin added to the sense of celebration.

Lorraine Dobbins was licensed by Bishop Andrew to serve at Christ Church, Warminster. The music group was largely formed by young people, and a healthy contingent from St Francis was there to support Lorraine. We pray for God's blessing on her family and ministry.

Marlene Parker's ashes were laid to rest in St Osmund's churchyard on a sunny morning. Afterwards everyone there paid their respects by having a picture taken surrounding the site with their footsteps.

October 2019 News & Notes

A good farewell for Lorraine Dobbins included many goodbyes, a social occasion, a traditional Holy Communion, and a contemporary time of worship. Her family received prayers and a collection to speed them on their way. We continue to pray for Christ Church, Warminster as she begins her ministry. We also pray for St Francis during the vacancy, and that we find the right person to take things forward.

Thanks for beautiful churchyards and gardens which are kept in such good order by many hours of patient effort. We are always on the lookout for volunteers to share the privilege, so do get in touch if you'd like to help. Upkeep of individual spaces is the responsibility of families concerned.

Anthony Matthews and Anna Frith married on a Wednesday. They left the church through a guard of honour, and toasted each other's health at the lychgate.

Each couple is different, so no two marriages are the same. We take care to craft what is right for families concerned, and bookings are already coming in for 2021.

David Carr served in the Royal Engineers so it was fitting to honour his time with them by laying his ashes on their flag. After a reading, silence, and prayers we laid them to rest in the churchyard.

Grieving is a privilege for those who mourn loved ones, and all are welcome to join services to remember them. 

September 2019 News & Notes

Our thanks to Lorraine Dobbins for all the good she has done in the borough, and particularly in Littlemoor. Her final service is at 11.00am on Sunday 1 November, and will be a great opportunity to send her on her way with our thoughts and prayers for a new chapter in Warminster. She will be licensed by Bishop Andrew in Christ Church at 7.30pm on Wednesday 25 September. All are welcome to support her on both occasions.

Fantastic flowers supported by bells, organ music, refreshment and hosting teams, and a host of behind the scenes gofors made 'Pretty as a Picture' a huge success. Around £1,600 was raised for the Church and local causes. A big shout out for Caroline Crisp and her team whose skill and imagination brought the whole weekend together. The final Songs of Praise celebrated all these gifts, and thanked God for his blessings.

Bishop Karen is licensing Ally Kay at All Saints Church, Wyke Regis at 7.00pm on Wednesday 25 September. He will serve one of the largest parishes in the borough; it includes St Edmund, Lanehouse. All are welcome to support him, and to encourage Betty Port who has looked after the vacancy, and was once a curate at St Andrew, Preston.

Isabella Limb was baptised at St Osmund, Osmington in a happy service enjoyed by family and villagers. Afterwards the family posed by the main door.

Praise 'n' Prayer is a new venture for 10.00am on fifth Sundays in the Church Rooms. If you would like to help set things up, offer refreshments, or take part please get in touch with Canon Tim who can steer you in the right direction. This worship is largely led by lay people, so do come and join in the pilot because you might have a part to play.

A Tesla takeoff suited Paul and Leta Dowdeswell down to the ground as they sped away to the Springhead after marrying at St Andrew, Preston. A great crowd lined the road to cheer them on their way.

August 2019 News & Notes

Buckland Ripers Songs of Praise was hosted on a glorious evening, with the church looking fabulous. It was a fitting conclusion to the 'Thy Kingdom Come' days of prayer.

Congratulations to Lorraine Dobbins on her appointment to Christ Church, Warminster. Her last Sunday here will be on 1 September when we can gather at St Francis for a farewell.

Thank you Brian Ellis for many years of inspiring ministry across the Ridgeway Team, including covering maternity leave for Lorraine at St Francis; and oversight of St Osmund. A well-supported service included members of all our Team Churches, and was a great time of praise for God's faithfulness. Brian challenged us to be more effective in sharing the Good News of God's love with everyone in the communities we serve.

Thank you Lynette and Hugh for hosting a fantastic afternoon of jazz with scrumptious tea. The gardens of the Osmington Manor East Wing looked fabulous, and the hostess team worked their socks off winging teapots, scones, and goodies about. The jazz was an amazing variety. Brilliant.

Community Angels is in its 10th year and held a celebratory barbecue behind the Church Rooms. Thanks to the link between Preston Road Surgery and St Andrew's Church around 50 volunteers run a lunch club, encourage social activities, arrange transport, and 101 other neighbourly kindnesses. So thanks to all the Angels, and to Brian Sadler who holds everything together.

July 2019 News & Notes

Congratulations to our new LPAs, or Lay Pastoral Assistants to give them their full title. Judy, Theresa, Gaynam, and Pat were commissioned by Bishop Karen Gorham at St Aldhelm's Church. Here Judy is surrounded by supporters from St Nicholas, Broadwey.

Archdeacon Antony is paying us another visit to preach at St Osmund, Osmington at Hymns and Pimms 6.30pm on 14 July. All welcome to join in the festive atmosphere, and hear a cracking sermon.

We enjoy fabulous guests at our weddings across the Ridgeway Team. Here St Andrew's Church path is lined ready to greet newlyweds James and Rachel Rycroft.

Nicholas Papadopulos is Dean of Salisbury, and preached at the installation of the new Canon Precentor [ic worship] at the Cathedral. He suggested that every vestry should have a noticed pinned up to remind mortals that the Immortal God is our focus. Canon Tim took him at his word, and found it a liberation!

Pretty as a Picture is a flower festival planned for St Andrew in the first weekend of July. The festival will give away any donations received over the weekend, and will conclude with a Songs of Praise.