David Dewick writes
OUR LENTEN JOURNEY
Jesus gave a very solemn warning to those who tried to "gain the whole world" at the cost of their souls. We would do well to take notice of his words because we live in soul-destroying times. Terrorist plots and bombs around the world not only bring killing, bereavement and chaos. They strike at the very core of peace and our democracy, and are therefore soul-destroying. And there are other factors also within our own society which work against us - materialism, unemployment, the fear of redundancy, greed, the bloated values put on so-called celebrities in the media, sport and entertainment. It is hard to keep and develop the spiritual life in the face of those soul-destroying forces.
The darkness, the Bible tells us, cannot extinguish the light. Thank God for that. And for all those other joys in his creation. Add to this our faith that he makes all things new - just enjoy the Spring and its beauty for a start. In short God gives us the means of grace to restore our souls.
The Lenten pilgrimage, on which we are already engaged, provides an opportunity for us to do just that. It is not a time for dreariness. But a time for the development of our spiritual lives. A time for journeying with Jesus and therefore making proper preparation for a glorious Easter. A time surely for reflection on what it means to be in but not of the world. A time to share in his preparations for Good Friday and in his glorious Resurrection.
"Jesus set his face to go to Jerusalem". He know God's will for him. Neither pain nor agony would divert him from obedience to his calling. Would that this Lent we would also have something of that strength and determination to be true to God and to ourselves. Then we would surely be ready to proclaim with the Psalmist "Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift my soul".
May your journey this Lent be one of faith, hope and love.
With every blessing
David Dewick
LENT LUNCHES - 2010
You are invited to join us during the period of Lent at any or all of the venues listed, where, for a donation to charity, your hosts will provide a frugal lunch for you in their home.
■Tuesday - 2nd March
Ann Lees - Rannerdale, Perry Lane, Bledlow
■Tuesday - 9th March
Sandy Eden - Shootacre House, Shootacre Lane, Saunderton
■Tuesday - 16th March
Anne Oakley - Bledlow House, Church End, Bledlow
■Tuesday - 23rd March
Ann Beaton - Hazeldene, Sandpit Lane, Bledlow
~ Put these dates in your Diary! ~
Compline & Silent Prayer Meetings at Holy Trinity, Bledlow
During Lent only, we move from monthly to a weekly Compline Service at 7.30pm on Wednesdays. You are very welcome to join us for this quiet 20 minute Service, especially as we prepare ourselves for the events of Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, and Easter. Please see the Diary for March, on the centre page, for details.
Because of the greater frequency of Compline during Lent and the opportunities for prayer during this period, I am holding over the next meeting of the Silent Prayer Group until April. All are welcome at these meetings which will last some 30 minutes and give us the chance to hear more clearly the still, small voice of God in our lives. If you would like to know more, with the possibility of joining us, please have a would with me.
David Dewick
Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow, is a Fairtrade Church and we are supporting Fairtrade Fortnight on Sunday, 7th March, 2010, with Fairtrade coffee, tea and biscuits being served after the Matins Service* at approx. 11.45am (*to which you are also invited - starts at 10.30am).
You would be made most welcome if you wished to pop in and join us for a complimentary cup of tea or coffee on that morning. We look forward to seeing as many people as possible enjoying Fairtrade products!
DO COME!!
The Vestry & Annual Parochial Church Meetings 2010
on Monday 12th April 2010 at 8.00pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow ~ (NOT in Bledlow Village Hall)
These meetings are very important for the future of the Church and the community in our Parish of Bledlow with Horsenden and Saunderton. The Vestry Meeting elects the two Churchwardens for the coming year. It is open to all parishioners to attend and to vote. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is open to all Church members who are on the Church Electoral Roll (please see below about the annual revision of the membership of the Roll and how you can be included). These Meetings elect not only the Churchwardens but from the Church Electoral Roll, new members to serve on the Parochial Church Council which is responsible with the Team Vicar for ministry and mission in our Parish; they also elect Sidespeople and Deanery Synod representatives. Our Parish should be represented by a cross section committed to the importance of the Christian faith and the Church. No Saints are expected!! I hope that as many as possible will attend these meetings in order to strengthen the Christian presence here and that you will decide to come to some of our Church services.
David Dewick
Annual Revision of the Church Electoral Roll
13th - 28th March 2010
There is an opportunity for revision to be made to the Church Electoral Roll during the above period. If you would like your name added to or deleted from the existing Roll then please contact the Church Electoral Roll Officer, Eugenie Bendyshe-Brown (01844 342103) or the Team Vicar, Revd David Dewick (01844 344762)
The Enrolment application form gives details of eligibility and the rights of membership and a note is also enclosed explaining the financial implication to the Parish of Roll Members. Copies of the revised Roll will be posted at the three churches (Bledlow, Saunderton and Horsenden) and will become effective at the Annual Meeting on 12th April at Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow. ■
PCC NEWS
Revd James Tomkins and his role as Team Mission Enabler
Revd James Tomkins gave an update on his work to date, including his involvement with monthly services at Icknield Court Nursing Home, Longwick Beavers Scouts and Lighthouse. Revd Tomkins explained that as his position at Monks Risborough is part-time it allows him the opportunity to become involved in Churches Together in Risborough.
Relevant Matters Arising from the Previous Meeting
John Vicary, local Chairman of Christian Aid, did not attend the Family Praise Service on 17th January at Holy Trinity, as the Pet Service was being held. A new date will be announced.
The Christian Aid AGM was held on 27th January.
Maintenance and Fabric of the 3 Churches
Bledlow: The oil delivery for the boiler at Holy Trinity had been delayed due to bad weather. The oil consumption would be quite high this quarter due to the bad weather.
No further debris has fallen from the roof space and there has been no further movement in the Chancel since the tell tales were put in place. Trees in the north east and south east corner of the graveyard have now been removed and the over hanging branches have also been cut.
Saunderton: The Faculty had been approved for the wooden shingles on the roof to be replaced; a grant has been received for this from Bucks Historic Churches.
Horsenden: Approval for a grant has been received from Bucks Historic Churches. There will be an inspection on 29th March.
Finance Update
12 hymn books and 35 Psalters have been purchased for the Choir from Church Funds. New choir robes have been paid for from the Choir Fund. A letter of thanks for the Psalters received on behalf of the choir from the Choir Master, Jeff Stewart.
The Risborough Team & Team Lent Course
The Risborough Team Staff meet every two weeks.
The fourth meeting of the Team Lent Course on 18th March will be held at Bledlow Church. The Marriage Preparation Day is on 20th February and a Team Walk is planned on 3rd May.
Report of the Team Forum Meeting 26th November 2009
Revd David Williams chaired the meeting speaking of vision, values and purpose and what the representatives wanted from the Team.
Social Committee Report
The Bridge Afternoon had to be cancelled due to the snow, but it is hoped this event will be re-scheduled for a later date. Donations from bridge players of over £100 have been received for Church Funds.
A Progressive Supper is being planned for June this year.
Harvest Festival - it is hoped that it might be possible to arrange a dance following the Harvest Supper to raise funds for Haiti.
Haiti Disaster Appeal
The PCC has sent £250 to the Haiti Appeal on behalf of the Parish.
Dates for Your Diary
Bledlow Village Fête 2010 will now be held on Saturday 19th June.
Fair Trade 'Big Brew 2010' Morning will be held on Sunday 7th March at Holy Trinity Church.
Future Meetings
Monday 15th March – Hazeldene, Sandpit Lane, Bledlow
Monday 12th April - AGM at 8.00pm in Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow w
Hospital Chaplaincy
by Mary Abbis
Several years ago a request in the Messenger caught my eye. The Chaplaincy at Stoke Mandeville Hospital was looking for Volunteer Visitors to support their work with patients and relatives. Having worked professionally in a hospital and care environment, I knew that would not be a problem. Was my faith strong enough to make a more public commitment? That was a bit different. But it was food for thought. I did nothing and other personal events intervened. But that same Chaplaincy request reappeared the following year, as though nudging me onwards! I rang the telephone number and talked to the Chaplain who was very encouraging. Did I attend a church regularly? (this could be any denomination). Could I spare 2-3 hours a week and attend 3-4 training days? Could I supply two references and complete the inevitable Criminal Records Bureau forms? Yes, to all these!
Three months later, after completing the above, I ‘shadowed’ an experienced Chaplaincy Visitor on her ward. Each Visitor is allocated their 'own' ward or department so that they get to know staff and patients and choose the regular day/time that suits them. After further discussions with the Chaplain it was agreed that I start as a Visitor and be given a regular ward to visit.
What does a Chaplaincy Visitor do?
Firstly they represent the Christian Church in the hospital and are the ‘eyes and ears’ of the full time Chaplains. Visitors can then refer patients to them if needed or to leaders of other faiths.
Importantly, Visitors listen and talk, in complete confidence, to patients and relatives of all faiths or none. In the majority of meetings faith and spirituality will not be discussed, but patients may be distressed, worried, depressed or just plain bored, and appreciate someone with time to give them. Sometimes the patient may request that you say a prayer with them or a prayer can be added to the ‘request’ book in the Hospital Multi Faith Prayer Room. Some patients, of course, do not want to engage in any conversation and that is fine.
The Chaplaincy Visitor never knows what to expect on each visit: some days seem quite routine, others can provide considerable challenges, but the Chaplains are always available to support, guide and in turn listen in confidence to the volunteers.
This article was written at my request and Mary is to be commended for her dedication and commitment to the very important and fulfilling role she has taken on. If you feel that this is something that you could become involved in, please have a word with Mary. Colin Lees
Bells & Bellringers
We do not, at present, have our own Bellringing Team at Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow. But there is a very strong history of ringing in the parish - just have a look on the walls in the bell chamber at Holy Trinity. The last team was disbanded a few years ago when Steve Parslow, the then Tower Captain, moved away. Since when we have been very grateful to Roy Woodruff and his colleagues for coming to ring at Bledlow on the first Sunday of each month and on special occasions.
We have tried to rebuild our team, but for good reasons we have so far been unsuccessful. LET’S TRY AGAIN - NOW.
Bellringing is a team activity and some ringers see it as their contribution to church life, others for the sound and pleasure it gives. If you are interested, and I hope you will be, please let me know. I am not a ringer, but I know a man who is and who will be very pleased to train or even retrain you. It is the same Roy Woodruff, already mentioned, who trains ringers at Aston Clinton Church. You don’t need to be of a certain age, nor do you need to dress up. JUST GIVE ME A RING - my telephone number is shown on the inside front cover of this magazine. We look forward to hearing from you so that the bellringing tradition in Bledlow can resume.
David Dewick
Bridge Afternoon
Report by Ann Beaton, Churchwarden
The Chicago Bridge Drive, arranged for the afternoon of Wednesday 13th January, was yet another casualty of the severe weather and had to be cancelled!
I know we would all like to thank Marilla Speller who worked so hard organising the event and for putting us on the map for bridge - the cancellation was a huge disappointment. The occasion was a sell-out and we thought we had found a slot in the seemingly extremely busy life of the local bridge players, but the Church Social Committee will be taking advice from Marilla as to the rescheduling of the afternoon.
Marilla has received over £100 in donations from the bridge players, towards the Church Restoration Fund, which is a wonderfully kind gesture for which we are very grateful. Although Marilla has thanked all the donors, I would like to add my thanks on behalf of the Parochial Church Council of our parish. ■
Dates for your Diary
Friday 30th April ~ A talk by Ian Beaton
on his attempt to climb Mount Everest
We are delighted to announce that on Friday 30th April, 2010, Ian Beaton has kindly agreed to give a talk on his attempt to climb Mount Everest. Ian’s love of mountaineering began in his scouting days and he has climbed in Alaska, the Andes, the Himalayas, as well as the Alps and closer to home.
His talk will be held in Bledlow Village Hall at 7.30pm and tickets will be available at £7.50 each. Canapés and wine are included in the ticket price. The money raised will go towards the Restoration Fund for Holy Trinity Church, Bledlow.
We are very grateful indeed to Ian for agreeing to give this talk and we hope very much that you will come along and enjoy a very interesting and informative evening.
Tickets are available from Ann Beaton Brenda Buchanan Sarah Moore
Jenny Strange or Sally Manning (see The Parish Messenger for telephone numbers)
Bank Holiday Monday 3rd May ~ Risborough Team Walk
A choice of walks between 3 and 7 miles to suit all ages and abilities
with an en route quiz for children
Starting from Bledlow Village Hall from 1.30pm
Finishing at about 4.00pm with tea and home-made cakes back at the Village Hall
followed by answers to the quiz and presentation of prizes to the winners
Please join us for an entertaining afternoon
For further details please contact Dick Strange
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.
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