April 2021 News & Notes

Canon Tim West retires this month after 23 years as Team Rector, and 40 years 'vicaring'. He and Sue will be living in Weymouth, where he will pursue one of his hobbies by completing a third novel, stories for children, and other projects. His Facebook posts will remain available to look back over a year of Covid.

A farewell to Tim and Sue West will take place once we're 'allowed out to play'. No date or details yet, but watch this space. Pork scratchings and beer may feature!?

In April we use church buildings again for worship. Services at St Andrew and St Osmund on Easter Day and the following Sunday [Tim's last] will be ticketed so, if you would like to be considered for a seat, please contact Shirley Mitchell on 837147 or weymouth.ridgeway.team.office@gmail.com

Tim's four candles stole is in good hands because Brian Ellis will be wearing it during Advent seasons.

He and Ada will be alternating Sundays to provide cover, ably assisted by Lay Worship Leaders. June Reed, Mandy Robinson, and Theresa Clayton will be commissioned via Zoom on Sunday 25 April by Bishop Karen.

Springs of living water are often used in the Bible to depict refreshing flows of God's Spirit in our lives. So perhaps it's fitting that outside the Church Rooms is a borehole cap which seeks to divert spring water from flooding the road. Later this year Wessex Water will upgrade services.

Pictures and paragraphs welcomed for this column in the Register, so keep sending them to info@registermagazine.co.uk; and our thanks to Iain for sharing them with our communities.

March 2021 News & Notes

Bishop Nicholas Holtam retires in July after 10 years heading up Salisbury Diocese [Dorset & Wiltshire]. He had previously been at St Martin-in-the-Fields, Trafalgar Square, London where social action blends with worship and the arts. He expressed that mix through our 'Pray, Serve, Grow' vision. We shall miss his wise leadership. Bishop Karen Gorham will stand in on his departure. May he have a fulfilled retirement away from the huge responsibilities he has carried so well.

Facebook evolution of Canon Tim's posts will include links to regular services being recorded by a video team. On his retirement Tim will no longer post but the site will be available to look back at several hundred comments made during Covid 19.

In April we hope to use churches again for worship. Services at St Andrew and St Osmund on Easter Day and the following Sunday [Tim's last] will be ticketed so, if you would like to be considered for a seat, please contact Shirley Mitchell on 837147 or weymouth.ridgeway.team.office@gmail.com

We continue to monitor local cases through the https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/details/interactive-map, and will only open if numbers are low.

A farewell to Tim and Sue West will take place once Covid is at bay. No date or details yet, but watch this space. Pork scratchings and beer may feature!?

Funeral teams have received vaccinations as part of the rollout to those encountering significant daily Covid risk. They have been fantastic, welcoming, and thoughtful. The crematorium even has relaxing fish swimming about in a corner of the foyer next door to the rather functional Covid trolley.

February 2021 News & Notes

James Menzies to be licensed by Bishop Karen Gorham on 21 February as the new Team Vicar in the Weymouth Ridgeway Team. He will have particular responsibility for the life and worship of St Francis Littlemoor and the pastoral care of that community. He will continue in his role as Assistant Rural Dean of the Weymouth and Portland Deanery, and some time after Canon Tim West retires James will be 'rectified' to lead the Team. We look forward to this exciting new chapter in our lives.

A huge thank you to all who made the Christmas season so different and so special. We could sing with our hearts if not our voices, had opportunity for some quirky decorations, and enjoyed banter. The heart of the story with Jesus showing us God in human form was at the centre of all we did. This month we focus on signs of hope.

Use of our church buildings is permitted under 'lockdown 3' but, having monitored local case numbers, all Ridgeway church buildings are closed except for local arrangements allowing private prayer. Meanwhile a huge shout-out for those involve distributing, administering vaccines, and training people involved.

'Four candles' seeks new home as Canon Tim retires from ministry in April after 40 years of 'vicaring'. His Advent stole has plenty of life in it yet, so if you know a priest who would like it let him know!

January 2021 News & Notes

Welcome James Menzies

Bishop Karen and the benefice representatives, are pleased to announce the appointment of the Revd James Menzies as the new Team Vicar in the Weymouth Ridgeway Team. James will have particular responsibility for the life and worship of St Francis Littlemoor and the pastoral care of that community. In due course the plan will be that James is appointed Team Rector following the retirement of the Revd Canon Tim West, in this he has the support of many including both Tim and Philip.

James as volunteer fireman [c/o Echo]

James is currently Team Vicar on Portland, he was ordained in 2010 and served his curacy in the Diocese of Durham. James is already Assistant Rural Dean of the Weymouth and Portland Deanery and will continue in that role, particularly working with the Rural Dean to reshape ministry in the deanery as a response to local need, forming new partnerships to fit a changing population. We are delighted that James, in seeking a new challenge, wanted to remain in the deanery and feel that he has the right gifts and experience to lead the benefice into the next phase of its life. James, his wife Georgie and their family will be moving to Weymouth sometime in the New Year, and he will be licensed on 21 February. 

Welcome PCSO Kirsty Gatehouse
She covers Preston as part of her team's area, and it was great to see her checking the local community after an incident at the Co-op. Kirsty is always welcome [post-Covid] to pop in for a chat.

An extra zag to St Osmund's path
At long last it is possible to take an electric scooter from Church Lane up into Osmington village church. Construction of good foundations is shown below, and stone capping will be added to blend in with the surroundings. Thanks to all involved in this important project.

December 2020 News & Notes

The interview for Team Rector designate took place by Zoom but the outcome can't be published until the next edition of The Register, so watch this space!

Remembrance was held early on 1 November during worship. Churches were also open for private prayer Sundays and Wednesdays throughout the month. Many paid their respects in a very different way this year. May we relish the gift of peace even more wholeheartedly by living life to the very full.

 
Christmas will also be different this year and here is how it will be celebrated in St Andrew, Preston; and St Osmund, Osmington. Of course, we can only assume we come out of 'lockdown 2' as planned. All December services will include listening/humming to 2 well known carols, candlelight if possible/desired, and crib scene as the central decoration for the whole month.

Sunday 6

  8.30am St Osmund's with 2 Advent carols

  9.30am St Andrew's

Wednesday 9

  7.30pm St Andrew's with 2 Advent carols

Sunday 13

  8.30am St Osmund's with 2 Christmas carols

  9.30am St Andrew's

Wednesday 16

  7.30pm St Andrew's with 2 Christmas carols

Sunday 20

  4.30pm St Osmund's 6 carols & 5 readings

  6.30pm St Andrew's 6 carols & 5 readings

Thursday 24 Christmas Eve

  9.30pm St Osmund's said Communion, 4 carols, & incense

11.30pm St Andrew's said Communion, 4 carols & incense

Sunday 27

  8.30am St Osmund's with 2 Christmas carols

  9.30am St Andrew's

Wednesday 30

  7.30pm St Andrew's with 2 Christmas carols

St Andrew is looking smart now that the scaffolding has been removed to reveal repointed south and east elevations. Already the interior is beginning to dry out. Thanks to Harry Barnes for carrying out this complex project.

November 2020 News & Note

Harvest October, and Remembrance November are how we are celebrating important moments under Covid. Decorations are different and quirky. St Andrew, Preston and St Osmund, Osmington are open during Sundays and Wednesdays, so do pop in for some quiet. Giving thanks for peace, at such huge cost to life, is always a privilege. This picture shows harvest and remembrance around the font, a symbol of new life. Thanks decorators!

Team Rector designate interview takes place this month. The panel includes three churchwardens representing western, central, and eastern Churches. Do pray for all involved.

Worship by candlelight has restarted 7.30pm every Wednesday evening at St Andrew. It's available to all in the Ridgeway Team, and has a gentle healing nature. In order to make this possible Canon Tim's normal day of rest is now Friday. 

Covid etiquette has tightened, and that might be a healthy challenge to complacency. Rightly we want the new norm to become a background routine, so we can live lives as full as possible. However guidance is constantly evolving, and we are grateful to all who revise risk assessments, share clear guidance, and do it all with a smile!

Access points are restricted to a maximum of 6 wearing masks, and they should not interact with any other six. Scanning the QR code is strongly encouraged. That way we maximise safety for everyone.

October 2020 News & Notes

Harvest is an essential thanksgiving particularly this year with weather and Covid 19 making life very difficult for growers, distributors, and retailers. We are amazingly spoilt to have such a robust household supplies with only a few significant short-term shortages: flour, toilet rolls, and eggs.

We can, and we can't do certain things, and the new normal includes abnormality + change. We can take baptisms, weddings, and funerals in church to a maximum of 30. All have to wear masks, use sanitiser, can't sing but can listen to music, and keep distances. We can't take Holy Communion to those who are vulnerable, but they can with appropriate technology and 'bubble' companions watch facebook.com/canon.tim.west for regular acts of worship. Worship has to be short, and we are all getting used to things.

Candlelight worship restarts on Wednesdays in St Andrew, Preston at 7.30pm. These special occasions are being run by Lay Worship Leaders [commissioned or in training], and provide space for reflection using both contemporary and traditional material.

A fantastic wedding took place at St Osmund, Osmington when Simon Jerrard and Kerry-Anne Burt joined hands. The rings were carried in by Lola [pictured below], the bride arrived in an open-topped coach pulled by a pair of shires, and we swayed to 'Hold my hand' by Jess Glynne.