Parish News and Events
David Dewick writes
Inner Peace
With the holiday season here, many of us will be seeking some rest and peace, particularly inner peace. It is always instructive to see what Jesus had to say on such a subject, since it was said of him that, unlike others, he spoke with authority. What did he mean, for example, when he said: “Take no anxious thought for tomorrow?” In other words “be at peace with yourself”. But given the realities of life today, how do you do that? When job vacancies become fewer and job cuts are real, and family responsibilities are great, how can you be other than anxious about the future? When paedophile networks threaten the safety of children, is it not a worry? The instability of the money markets and the need for very hefty cuts in services are just some more worries. The loss of a partner will bring not only loneliness, but worry about tomorrow. When temptation persists and inner human pressures beckon sin, guilt can become an overwhelming anxiety. An anxious world is full of anxious people. Over-simplistic advice cannot surely meet such deep concerns and needs.
The poet John Dryden wrote “How blessed is he that leads a country life, unvexed with anxious cares”. Maybe in the apparently simple world of Palestine, in Jesus' time, it was easier to “consider the lilies of the field, how they grow” and think about “the fowls of the air” fed by “your heavenly Father”. It is far less easy today to take no anxious thought for tomorrow in this seemingly relentlessly demanding, often actively threatening world in which we live and have our being today.
But the importance of Jesus' advice to us about how we approach tomorrow must lie not in a literal interpretation of his words but rather in a recognition of the basic principle he is telling us. Anxiety is unprofitable and unhealthily negative. Just as fear casts out love, so worry destroys inner peace. Honing in on illnesses all the time only encourages depression and ill-health. Even in prayer it is not always good to concentrate on problems rather than on God. It is love which casts out fear. Giving ourselves does us much more good than giving in. We cannot, unfortunately, by our own will get rid of anxiety. But we can reduce its pressure on us by thinking deeply on “the things which we most surely believe”.
There is so much to encourage us in our Christian faith and to give us firm and sure hope for our future. There is a glory and a gift of grace to ease all the anxiety that comes our way. To believe in the risen, healing, Christ is to know God's will for us and for our tomorrows. And if anxiety remains as to where that belief can come from, remember once more that first Pentecost when the promised power filled those disciples and equipped them for the tomorrow. May it do so for us today.
May you find true hope and inner peace during your holiday time this year.
With every blessing,
David Dewick
Committed Giving
This year, we are required to raise £18,113 for our Diocesan Parish Share, an increase of £2,222, or 14%, on the amount only two years ago. This is, of course, in addition to the costs of maintaining our three churches in Bledlow, Saunderton and Horsenden.
Committed giving makes a huge difference to our income. This means pledging a weekly, monthly, quarterly or annual sum to give the combined parish an assured income for 52 weeks of the year.
If you read The Parish Messenger you will have an interest in the parish, in which our churches are such an integral and focal part. Would you please give thought, and indeed prayer, to how they might be further supported. Many do so by different forms of service, cleaning and otherwise caring for our churches, church watch, the provision of flowers and the like, but we still need a regular income.
Many gift-aid their contribution when they attend church and this provides a welcome addition to the collection. For many, this is in addition to a regular commitment and is doubly welcome. Where it is an occasional contribution, please consider whether it can be made a regular commitment. This is possible by two simple means:
i) an envelope pack, with dated envelopes for each week, which are collected when attending church, or
ii) a bank standing order, on a monthly, quarterly or annual basis, for an amount paid directly to a PCC account.
By both means, contributions can be gift-aided to receive the tax benefits available, at no cost to the donor.
Do, please, give serious thought to whether you can support our churches by these means and contact me, on 01844 343593 or by other means, if you can, or if you want further information.
John Brazier
Covenant Secretary
PARISH CALENDAR 2012
After the success of the Parish Recipe Book, and always looking for a new venture, the Church Social Committee is looking for pictures to compile a 2012 Parish Calendar!
We would like people to provide us with photographs of parish life, appropriate to the month beginning with September 2010. Hopefully by the time August 2011 comes round, we will have a complete calendar to go to press with!
We are looking for original photographs (scenic or amusing) capturing our parish life, so we urge everyone in Bledlow, Saunderton and Horsenden to get their cameras out and start snapping!!
Please would you e-mail your entries to David Buchanan on davidbuchanan@fsmail.net as the months progress? The Social Committee’s decision on the photographs used in the calendar is final!!
Parochial Church Council News
from the May Meeting
Parish News
The Revd David Dewick
David is considering his future in the parish due to his health and will keep the PCC fully informed of the position.
The Messenger
A sub-committee had been formed to ensure a smooth transition when Colin Lees retires after the production and distribution of the March 2011 edition. An interested party will be contacted and there will be further news at our next meeting.
Support for our Parish Organist
Ann Lees is doing a tremendous job as our organist but she needs time off. Revd David Dewick had some names to approach and he would do this as a matter of urgency.
The Bucks Historic Churches Trust has asked both Horsenden and Saunderton Churches if they would consider giving regular donations. Bledlow already gives an annual donation of £250 to the National body. It was agreed that Saunderton would donate £100 and Horsenden £50 annually.
Finance
VAT reclaim for Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme is coming to an end on 31.3.2011. There is a petition being drawn up to try and stop this happening.
The deficit on the No. 1 account is £3,570.
Risborough Team May Meeting
Dealt with the new Deanery Parish Share Formula. It was agreed that the default position should be requested. The rotation of clergy approximately four times a year was considered a good idea: it was interesting to meet the other clergy in the team and strengthened our Christian community. It was reported that the Team Walk had been well attended and hailed a success.
Social Committee
Harvest Festival Lunch will be on the 19th September. A Parish Calendar was planned to be produced for 2012 and an appeal for the monthly photographs will be made.
Deanery Synod Meeting
The main item was ‘What can the Deanery do for you?’ Two grants of £1,000 each were given to parishes within the Deanery and a report on the General Synod held in February was given.
Bledlow News
Church Heating
The architect Howard Cox is to be contacted to obtain the names of suitable heating engineers who can be approached to visit Holy Trinity to discuss the heating problem.
Extension of the Cemetery
The Carrington Estate had applied for the necessary planning permission for change of use of land from allotments to a cemetery.
Health & Safety Policy
This was in the process of being drawn up for Holy Trinity Church.
DAC Visit in May
The visit is regarding the positioning of the Memorial Stained Glass Window from Bledlow Methodist Chapel and to discuss the installation of the toilet (Option 2 for the toilet is the preferred option). The lightening conductor would be checked at ground level.
Bells
Matthew Smith, from Kimble, would be painting the beam as agreed at a cost of £600. Kip Manning (Keeper of the Bells) requested that he meet Matthew when he visits. Kip is to make a visit to the Whitechapel Foundry, where Bledlow Church bells were cast, and would be delighted to take anyone who is interested in joining him.
Horsenden News
A letter was read out from Angus and Janet Robson thanking the PCC for the gifts presented to them on Angus’ retirement as Treasurer for Horsenden.
Maintenance & Fabric
VAT will be reclaimed under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme for the work carried out at Horsenden and a grant of £4,500 has been awarded from the Bucks Historic Churches Trust. Water is coming in the northeast corner of the Chancel. Some rotten woodwork requires removal, new jointing of guttering and spot welding of other cracks. An estimate of £1,545 had been received.
Saunderton News
Maintenance & Fabric
The roof repairs at Saunderton Church were progressing well. Whilst the scaffolding was in place, the lightening conductor will also be checked. The work will cost £16,180 with VAT of £2,409. (This will be reclaimed under the Listed Places of Worship Grant Scheme). A grant of £3,000 had been received from Bucks Historic Churches Trust. J Hussey & Son has been requested to examine the white painted part of the Chancel ceiling with a view to staining to match the rest. A test area is being tried. The last estimate for the work was £3,500 and it will probably cost more than this. If it is more than £4,000 Saunderton probably won’t have the funds to cover the work.
Ride and Stride in aid of Bucks Historic Churches Trust
Come and join us for the annual walk, cycle and horse ride in aid of our own three churches and the Bucks Historic Churches Trust on Saturday 11th September.
Get people to sponsor you (or sponsor yourself) to visit as many local churches in one day as possible, on foot, bike or horseback. Our three parish churches will be open from 10.00am until 6.00pm. For those wishing to stay close to home, a walk or cycle between these three will be reward enough. But for the kids there will a quiz or some other surprise! For the energetic and adventurous, many other beautiful churches around Buckinghamshire and Oxfordshire will be open and welcoming visitors with refreshments. Nearer the time we will have lists of open churches and can make suggestions of routes to follow. We are hoping to beat last year's total by raising more than £600.
For sponsorship forms, more information about open churches, or help planning your route please contact Cathy and Derek Stone on:- 01844 345519 or clw@dentonwildesapte.com
For inclusions in the parish magazine
The Parish Messenger
The Magazine for the Parish of Bledlow with Saunderton & Horsenden
Please submit to
Colin Lees ~ EDITOR
Email:
Copy Deadline: 10 am ~ 10th of the month - this is the ABSOLUTE DEADLINE, but it would be appreciated if, where possible, items could be submitted earlier.