Kington Langley and Draycot Cerne Village Magazine January 2019 Issue no. 473 Draycot Benefice Services for January 2019 th Sunday 6th January Sunday 20 January Epiphany 1 Epiphany 3 9am Holy Communion at Seagry 9am Holy Communion (BCP) at Tytherton 10.30am Holy Communion at Christian Kellaways Malford 10.30am United Benefice Holy Communion 10.30am All Age Service at Kington at Kington Langley Langley 10.30 Café Church at Sutton Benger Thursday 24th January 9am Morning Prayer at Christian Malford Thursday 10th January 9am Morning Prayer at Christian Malford Sunday 27th January Sunday 13th January Epiphany 4 Epiphany 2 or Baptism of Christ 9am Holy Communion at Christian Malford 9am Holy Communion at Kington Langley 10.30am Holy Communion at Kington Langley 10.30am Holy Communion and Plough Sunday at Sutton Benger 10.30am All Age Service at Sutton Benger 10.30am Coffee, Chat and Craft Christian Malford Thursday 17th January 9am Holy Communion at Kington Langley Union Chapel Christian Fellowship – Kington Langley SERVICES & EVENTS Sunday 6th January 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 13th January 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 20th January 10.30am Morning Service Sunday 27th January 10.30am Morning Service Weekly events Thursdays 10.00 - 1200 Chapel Rendezvous in the Chapel FROM THE EDITOR Welcome to the first edition of 2019 – January is not an easy month for many Happy New Year! I hope you had a peaceful people – as the article for the Samaritans and enjoyable festive season. By the time highlights, 21st January has been dubbed you receive this magazine there may still be ‘the most difficult day of the year’. This may an opportunity for you to try out some be due to the cold and dark, the arrival of international traditions or clothing to mark credit card bills or the fallout from the New Year – I can’t decide whether I’m Christmas. For me it marks the anniversary going for green, red or white underwear... of my Mum’s death – a long time ago now, (you’ll have to read the article!) but as any of you who have lost loved ones I wonder, have you made any New Year’s know, although time passing helps you deal resolutions to do with healthy eating, with your grief, that gap is never filled. The increasing exercise, trying out a new Big Brew event is a great way to help people activity or learning a new skill? Perhaps I’ll cope – whether you organise an event or go see you at Inspire Fitness?! In this edition out to support one, it’s an opportunity to you will find opportunities to have a go at share some company and support one something different – there are openings at another, as well as a fabulous charity. Both Chippenham Male Voice Choir, an invitation Chapel Rendezvous and the Tuesday to be a mentor, a wide variety of events at Fellowship hosted in Sutton Benger also the Wiltshire Music Centre to enjoy, or you offer a warm and welcoming place for the might be inspired to encourage Sandra difficult times, and the good ones too! But if Mathias as she raises funds for cancer you, or someone you know, is looking for charities, or support Project Linus? Or more particular support, you may find the maybe you feel inspired to offer your time article on the pastoral visiting teams in the Draycot Benefice helpful. to Helping Hands, as they look for new committee members for this much Otherwise, if you need to lift your spirits, appreciated local group. In our ‘time poor’ get on your walking shoes with Sylvia, or society it seems to get harder and harder to your dancing shoes for the 70’s/80’s disco at find people willing to give some of their the end of the month—keep dancing! time to volunteering, but it’s what holds Katherine Bloomer our community together. Editor February Edition deadline on Monday 21st January 2019 Please email a Word Document or PDF to [email protected] It may not be possible to include any items received after the midday deadline on the closing date. Brew Monday - Samaritans Have a brew Save lives Help beat the January blues: get together with friends, family or colleagues on 21 January 2019, have a brew and raise vital funds to help save lives. Thank you from the Draycot Group of Churches In 2018 the Draycot Group of Churches decided to have a joint focus for their Harvest fund raising.. We are very grateful to Anthony Hughes for all his hard work in co– coordinating everyone’s efforts, and encouraging our schools and village organisations to join in. Doorway in Chippenham greatly appreciated the many generous gifts that were donated for Harvest. The money gifts that were given has resulted in a total of £2000 for SSAFA, and £500 Doorway. Cheques will be presented to both charities in the New Year. There was a balance of just over £90 and the Benefice Council agreed this would be spent on purchasing Christmas treats for Doorway guests. Thank you for all your generous support. From the Chapel When I was about 10, I saved up 7s 6d. for some roller-skates. With 3 other children I played ‘hockey’ in the road using upturned walking-sticks. One morning I was hurtling along the pavement near my house, and as I approached a roadside tree I couldn’t make up my mind whether to keep on the pavement or swerve into the road to avoid it. I left it too late, and crashed headlong into that tree. One can dither too long! How about sitting on the fence regarding allegiance to God & His Christ? An old hymn runs “Once to every man & nation, comes the moment to decide”. The first disciples Peter & Andrew, James & John were quick to respond to Christ’s call. Another man described as a rich young ruler, turned away as he felt he had too much to give up. The freedom to choose is ours! In Sunday School many of us were asked to ‘decide for Christ’, and to ‘give our lives to Him’. For lots of us, many years have passed since those youthful enthusiastic days. But God is renowned for giving people a second chance. King David and the Apostle Paul come to mind. The choice we make does not only come into effect in this life, but more importantly after we have passed into the life to come. Could it be that it is the right TIME TO DECIDE for you! Sylvia Chumbley THE BENEFICE OF DRAYCOT DIOCESE OF BRISTOL Dear Friends, The presents have been given, opened and maybe even returned. The food and drink have been consumed. The sparkling lights, decorations, cards and Christmas tree are soon packed away. The carols have been sung. It’s easy to feel the January blues at this time of the year. Some of us, however, may even be glad that it’s all over. For many of us, Christmas brings up so many emotions, memories and expectations. We have one Nativity story, but it can seem like we all have very different Christmases. For some it may have been a time of joy and togetherness. Or perhaps it’s all about planning and to-do lists. For others it may have been a lonely and sad time. Whatever your experience of Christmas, the new calendar year is here. A time for fresh starts and new undertakings, a chance to shake off the old and welcome in the new. Maybe it’s time to start a new hobby, contact long lost friends and family, get fit, declutter or volunteer to help others. Perhaps you may have a bigger change planned- a new house, job or school? The good news is that Jesus promises us a new start every day- “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. — Lamentations 3:22-23 Epiphany is celebrated on 6th January and the end of the twelve days of Christmas. It tells us that Jesus came for all mankind to let us know that we are loved today and forever. Whatever your new year has in store, I pray that it will be a blessed and happy one. May God bless us all today, this new year and always. Dawn Beresford Pastoral Care - Looking after one another in the Draycot Benefice The Church of England operates on a geographical basis, so it is the local parish church which is given the responsibility for the pastoral care of all who live within the parish boundary, whether or not they are regular members of the congregation. Pastoral care comes in a variety of ways: supporting baptism families and wedding couples, visiting those who have been bereaved (before and after a funeral), welcoming new villagers, bringing communion to those who are housebound, or visiting at times of sickness or crisis. The traditional view (although probably a myth!) used to be that it was the vicar who would and should carry out pastoral visits. That would be a challenge in one parish, but impossible today across 5 villages, even with a ministry team. One of the strengths of rural communities, which we are lucky to share in, is that neighbours do look out for one another in our villages. All Christians are called to help and serve the community they are part of, caring and helping when and where they can, as a practical sign of God’s love for everyone.