June 2016 News & Notes

Many thanks to all those running our Annual Parish Meetings
No two were the same. Three took place after Holy Communion, one after a Palm Sunday procession, another during Café Church, and one afterwards. Here St Nicholas, Broadwey consider God's amazing love for each of us. Prayers have been hung on a fence panel, and some of them ask that we might share and explore that love better.

Sun 5 June, Ada at Holy Trinity
Ada is covering for the vacancy at Holy Trinity with St Nicholas, Weymouth. Tim was there last month, and is delighted to report that they have made an excellent start looking for their next leader.

Sun 12 June, Queen's Official 90th celebration

It's great to hear of ideas to make this thanksgiving a meaningful time. What an amazing amount has taken place in her reign. Her strong understated faith is an inspiration to many.

Sun 19 June, St Francis has two morning services

After a trial of a few years the Church has decided to have only four joint worship services a year. Third Sundays will now be like any other, with 9.15am Holy Communion being followed by 10.45am Family Friendly Worship. 

Sun 10 July, Archdeacon Antony MacRow-Wood preaching at St Osmund

12 years ago Antony was Team Vicar at St Francis, and played a full part across the team. It will be good to have him back, and you are warmly encouraged to join 6.30pm Evensong.

St Clements and the Amos Trust
As rural dean, Tim led a voluntary clergy chapter to London to explore character Churches, and tour Westminster Abbey. One of the two that impressed was St Clements, which is the base for the Amos Trust which seeks to support those damaged by the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. They invited visitors to their evening worship, and offered hospitality in a simple moving ceremony. It made a fitting conclusion to a day of Continuing Ministerial Development.

Michelle Delves will train for ordination

A selection conference was pleased to recommend Michelle for training at Durham, and Bishop Nicholas heartily supported the decision. Congratulations to Lorraine and all those at St Francis for supporting and nurturing a sense of calling. Michelle will be brilliant.

May 2016 News & Notes

Cover for Holy Trinity, Weymouth vacancy

As of this month, Ada and Tim will be alternating to look after first Sundays. To free up Tim, Harry Barnes will be sharing All Stage Worship in Osmington Village Hall.

Nick Clarke is the new Radipole Team Rector
On 20 September, nineteen months after Ian Hobbs left, Nick will be licensed by Bishop Nicholas Holtam to lead the team of Churches.

Sun 8 May, Archbishops' Call to Prayer begins

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York invite us to prayer every day this week. Of course that is something we should all be doing anyway, but the focus is that we should receive renewed power from God's Holy Spirit to share our faith more generously. A prayer service is being held everyday, so do please join in. 

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Sun 15 May, 11.15am Morningsong at St Osmund, Osmington

We want to worship God through the gift of music, and already have a number taking part with recorders, organ, and ukulele. Do get in touch if you would like to add to the variety.

Sun 29 May, 10.30am Deanery Confirmation with Bishop Karen Gorham at St Andrew, Preston

Please let clergy know of any confirmation candidates, so we can make sure they are ready. It will be a great opportunity to be together, with combined choir etc to meet our new bishop, and to pray and support candidates.

Sun 29 May, 6.00pm Ridgeway Songs of Praise at Buckland Ripers

If you have never been to this Church you have missed a real treat, so pencil this date in your diary.

Sun 12 June, Queen's Official 90th celebration

It's great to hear of ideas to make this thanksgiving a meaningful time. What an amazing amount has taken place in her reign. Her strong understated faith is an inspiration to many. 

St Laurence Palm Sunday Procession

Philip negotiated some large palm branches from a pub in town, and worship started at the Wishing Well with a procession into Church. Thanks to Paul Sutcliffe for this picture and the one below.

Pat Jones' second retirement

Tim West persuaded Pat to help out during the vacancy following Richard Simmons' retirement. Now that Philip is in post she has stepped back again. Our thanks to Pat for pastoral inspiration over many years.

April News & Notes

Congratulations to Lorraine and St Francis
At the last diocesan synod the installation of a laundry on the Church site won top prize for projects empowering the communities we serve. It's great to see a vision and sustained effort to help those who cannot afford a washing machine.

Annual Parish Meetings continue this month
These are all linked to times of worship, and give us opportunity to thank God for his blessings over the past year, to thank all those who keep our worshipping life in such good order, and to look forward with joy:
 10 Apr: 10.30am St Nicholas, Broadwey with Holy Trinity, Bincombe; 
          and 6.00pm St Nicholas, Buckland Ripers 17 Apr: 10.00am St Francis, Littlemoor
 24 Apr: 11.15am St Osmund, Osmington

It's clear some want more time to consider the team constitution. The latest draft, which has been worked up over the last year, is being presented at this years APMs with a view to signing it next year.

After Darcey Rose Anders' baptism

The Cafe Church on Valentine's day included a baptism relayed on the video screen so all could see. It was a meaningful and homely occasion, but the main interest for some youngsters was playing with pebbles afterwards!

Cover for Holy Trinity, Weymouth following Canon Richard Franklin's retirement at Easter

I have had a busy time working with Holy Trinity with St Nicholas, Weymouth to set them up for the coming vacancy. Ada and I will be alternating to look after the first Sunday of each month, starting in May. I am grateful to Harry Barnes who will be sharing All Stage Worship in Osmington Village Hall with me, and thus make cover possible.

Sun 8 May, Archbishops' National Week of Prayer begins

The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have called us to prayer every day this week. Of course that is something we should all be doing anyway, but the focus is that we should receive renewed power from God's Holy Spirit to share our faith more generously. There will be more details next month, but why not join in one of our many weekday times of worship. 

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Sun 15 May, 11.15am Morningsong at St Osmund, Osmington

We want to worship God through the gift of music, and already have a number taking part with recorders, organ, and ukulele. Do get in touch if you would like to add to the variety.

Sun 29 May, 10.30am Deanery Confirmation with Bishop Karen Gorham at St Andrew, PrestonPlease let me know of any confirmation candidates, so we can make sure they are prepared. It will be a great opportunity to be together, with combined choir etc to meet our new bishop, and to pray and support candidates.

Sun 29 May, 6.00pm Ridgeway Songs of Praise at Buckland Ripers

If you have never been to this Church you have missed a real treat, so pencil this date in your diary.

Sun 12 June, The Queen's Official 90th birthday celebrationIt's great to hear of ideas to make this thanksgiving a meaningful time. What an amazing amount has taken place in her reign. Her strong understated faith is an inspiration to many. 

March 2016 News & Notes

Thank you
Our thanks to all who made Philip Elliott's licensing such a meaningful and real experience. Helen Williams and her team made us feel welcomed in St Nicholas and St Laurence School. Many worked hard to set things up, and strike camp afterwards; to lay on great refreshments and music.

Annual Parish Meetings begin this month
They are all linked to times of worship, and give us opportunity to thank God for his blessings over the past year, to thank all those who keep our worshipping life in such good order, and to look forward with joy. Here's the full set of dates:
 13 Mar: St Andrew, Preston
 20 Mar: St Laurence, Upwey
 10 Apr: St Nicholas, Broadwey with Holy Trinity, Bincombe; and St Nicholas, Buckland Ripers
 17 Apr: St Francis, Littlemoor
 24 Apr: St Osmund, Osmington

The Ridgeway website
A simple site is available at www.ridgeway.org.uk and it points you to other good sites. Full details of worship, and contacts are available. Thanks to our webmaster for developing this source of information, and for feedback from users that help with improvements.

Our Churches support a wide range of other groups: The Lantern, which operates near the railway station to support wayfarers or anyone going through a hard time; The Foodbank; WAVES, which is down by the harbour and supports young people; Samaritans; Julia's House, which is a hospice for young people; and so on. The website points to these organisations, so you can find out more.

Our Team Constitution, and meetings

At our Annual Parish Meetings we will be signing the constitution which has been circulated to all Church leaders. Once it has approval from the Bishop's Council, we will be calling meetings to work away at maximising opportunity across our seven Churches and the communities we serve. Philip will act as our Team Secretary to set up these conversations, the first of which will be a social so we can get to know each other.

Feb 2016 News & Notes

A warm welcome to Philip Elliott
In our journeys of faith, we are in for a lot of fun. The two mix well as our new Team Vicar will demonstrate. Philip will be licensed by Bishop Nicholas Holtam 7.00pm at St Nicholas and St Laurence School on Monday 1 February. He will be installed by Archdeacon Paul Taylor 10.30am at St Laurence, Upwey on Sunday 7 February. Do come and welcome him into our communities.

St Laurence weekday Holy Communion
Richard was unable to attend ministers' breakfasts in the town, or arrive at clergy chapters on time because of the Tuesday morning Holy Communion at St Laurence. As of this month we move to Wednesday mornings, and I know Philip really appreciates this move.

Bosworth Carols
We enjoyed a traditional carol service with members, visitors, and staff reading lessons. Staff bravely stood in as the three wise men.

Three generations took part in Messy Church

An imaginative use of shoe boxes occupied all ages in the production of nativity scenes, and preparation for the Crib Service.

Thanks to all those who have  helped us celebrate Christmas in meaningful ways. Don't forget to send pictures, with captions, to the Register.

Our Annual Parish Meetings
13 Mar: St Andrew, Preston
20 Mar: St Laurence, Upwey
10 Apr: St Nicholas, Broadwey with Holy Trinity, Bincombe;
St Nicholas, Buckland Ripers
17 Apr: St Francis, Littlemoor
24 Apr: St Osmund, Osmington

Jan 2016 News & Notes

What an achievement
Only three months after Richard Simmons retired we welcome Philip Elliott to continue a remarkable ministry. What is more, both ministers had six weeks learning from and teaching each other. Philip will licensed by Bishop Nicholas Holtam 7.00pm at St Nicholas and St Laurence School on Monday 1 February. He will be installed by Archdeacon Paul Taylor 10.30am at St Laurence, Upwey on Sunday 7 February. Do come and join us.

Refugee support through Christian Aid

A simple lunch raising funds and making us aware of the challenges faced by refugees was held in the Church Rooms. It was also a healthy time of fellowship.

Paris prayers

Our Churches have been praying for the talks in Paris to save our world from unnecessary pollution and warming. St Osmund's used pebbles as a focus for that prayer.

All Saints, Wyke Regis and Advent Light 

The bells were rung to call people to mark the start of Advent at a service reminding us of the opportunities provided by Christian Aid. The focus was on reducing death by malaria.

On 24 January I'll be at Holy Trinity, Weymouth
Canon Richard Franklin will be retiring from this harbour-side parish. I'm going over to begin preparation for the vacancy, and for finding the right person to follow such a significant ministry. As we give thanks for Philip's arrival, let's pray for Holy Trinity with St Nicholas, Buxton Road.

St Laurence Holy Communion

Richard was unable to attend ministers' breakfasts in the town, or arrive at clergy chapters on time because of the Tuesday morning Holy Communion at St Laurence. I'm asking that we move to Wednesday mornings as from February, and I'm sure he will appreciate this move.

Our Annual Parish Meetings
13 Mar: St Andrew, Preston
20 Mar: St Laurence, Upwey
10 Apr: St Nicholas, Broadwey with Holy Trinity, Bincombe
            St Nicholas, Buckland Ripers
17 Apr: St Francis, Littlemoor
24 Apr: St Osmund, Osmington

Dec 2015 News & Notes

Thanks for the extras

Although it's not long until Philip Elliott will be licensed as our new Team Vicar on 1 February 2016, there are many who carry extra responsibilities. I am particularly grateful to Brian Ellis, who is mainly looking after our west Ridgeway Churches. I'm also grateful to Pam Thomas and Richard Pendrey for helping us out.

Only one change from our normal Christmas

We are running our usual Christmas pattern, with one small change. St Osmund's will have a Christmas morning at 11.15am, so I can be there after leading the St Andrew's service.

Only one small change when Philip arrives

Richard was unable to attend ministers' breakfasts in the town, or arrive at clergy chapters on time because of the Tuesday morning Holy Communion at St Laurence. I'm asking that we move to Wednesday mornings as from February, and I'm sure he will appreciate this move.

St Andrew's Messy Church is permanent

This multifaceted way of engaging with Bible stories got off to a flying start in September. It suits families with children of any age, and runs regularly 3.30 - 5.30pm on third Sundays in the month. If you would like to join in please ring 832529 for further details. Each session focuses on a theme, which is then tackled from lots of different angles. The pilots have been so successful that Messy Church will now run every month except August.

Our thanks to Iain for including Church news

It is much appreciated that our news is part of the Register magazine. We are grateful to Iain, who as editor produces such a quality magazine. A very Happy Christmas Iain!