Voice of the Churches Goes to Print, Every Effort Has Been Made to Ensure That the Information Included Is up to Date

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ChristianityMarch in the 2021 Community from the Churches of Sturminster Newton

March 2021

CHURCHES OF STURMINSTER NEWTON

ST. MARY’S, CHURCH OF ENGLAND Church Street, Sturminster Newton, DT10 1DB www.stmaryssturminsternewton.org.uk Facebook: St Mary’s Sturminster Newton

CHURCH OF ST. PETER Hinton St. Mary Facebook: St Peter’s Hinton St Mary

CHURCH OF ST. THOMAS A BECKET Lydlinch Facebook: St Thomas a Becket, Lydlinch

Vicar: The Rev’d Philippa Sargent. The Vicarage, Church St . Sturminster Newton DT10 1DB 01258 473905 [email protected]

THE METHODIST CHURCH (inc. Broad Oak) Church Street, Sturminster Newton All enquiries, please contact: Mrs Christine Lydford -Senior Steward [email protected] 01258 473214 Deacon Rebekah-Joy Spinks - [email protected] 01258 473315 Rev’d Denise Binks - Minister in Charge - [email protected] 01747 854631

STURMINSTER CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP The Row, Sturminster Newton - 01258 473928 www.sturminsterchristianfellowship.org.uk

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF OUR LADY Marnhull Fr. Martin Budge- 01258 820388 www.marnhullandgillinghamrc.org.uk

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As this edition of Voice of the Churches goes to print, every effort has been made to ensure that the information included is up to date. However, in the present climate, we cannot guarantee that substantial changes may not occur after printing. We strongly

suggest that you double check any information with individual church websites, Facebook pages and other channels of commu- nication. Contact details for all of our local churches are available on page two of this issue.

For a number of months, since the weather would not let us meet in per- son outside, and stricter lockdown rules we have been meeting as a Cell Group on Zoom on the 1st and 3rd Friday afternoon of each month. We all contribute and Rev Margaret Oxenham oversees the afternoon and Rev Denise Binks provides the technology. Denise keeps in contact with all our church members by a weekly letter on email or paper and delivered. Christine Lydford (Senior Steward)

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From the Parish Registers

Funerals 4th February Patricia Gordge 11th February Margaret Newsholme 16th February Leonard Goff 17th February Michael Peevor

‘May they rest in peace and rise in glory’

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From Our Lady’s Church, Marnhull - Judith Bennett

Lent is now upon us, the second one in lockdown. Our churches are open for Sunday Mass, socially distanced; those unable to be present physically continue, where possible, to follow the liturgy online. Our weekly newsletter appears online and the printed ver- sion is also available. Please let me know if you would like a copy and I will try and arrange delivery – 01258 471623. "Stations of the Cross” will be followed online on the Sundays of Lent, at 3pm. Details on newsletter/website.

Instead of the usual Lenten study meetings we are following the weekly Come and See talks for Lent, which study the Gospel readings for each of the Sundays of Lent. www.comeandsee.org 7pm each Wednesday evening, with a follow-up discussion on

Thursdays. The Catholic parishes of North Dorset have looked outside the local area this Lent, to provide water for the drought-stricken country of Ethiopia, through The Big Walk for Water which challenges us to walk 10,000 steps (about 5miles) and to walk each day for the 40 days of Lent. Our parish aims to raise £750 which would provide a supply for a small com- munity: sponsorship through https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/north-dorset-parishes-cafod- walkforwater Holy Week and Easter arrangements depend on Covid conditions but I hope to have details next month. In the meantime for any other information please look at our website www.marnhullandgillinghamrc.org.uk

In February it was the turn of our Salisbury Diocese to take part in the Mothers’ Union Wave of Prayer. A special service sheet was sent round for use by Mothers’ Union groups. As we were not able to come together for the service we prayed either alone at home or on the telephone with another member. We were asked to pray, amongst other things, for the work on gender based violence in Botswana and Nigeria, for Christians being persecuted in Nigeria, for challenges faced by members in the Andaman and Car Nicobar Islands in India, for the Marsabit Diocese in Kenya and for Mothers’ Union projects in the Salisbury Diocese.

Brenda Stables

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STURMINSTER CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

Sturminster Newton Christian Fellowship has been open for prayer, teaching and fellowship on Friday mornings. Operating as a ‘café-church’, we have been blessed by some special, socially distanced times together throughout the Summer and Autumn. However, we need to be realistic about increased transmission of the Covid virus locally, the small capacity of our building, and current regulations for churches and hospitality venues. Accordingly, having sought the Lord’s guidance, we understand it to be right that we close the chapel at the present time.

We look forward to being able to resume public worship before too long, but remain unable to set a date when this will be. We pray that we are able to do this before the next edition of Voice of the Churches.

We mourn the passing of our dear brother Michael Peevor after suffering a long illness, and the incapacity that caused. In 2009, together with Vera, he was instrumental in re-fitting the former Brethren Chapel in The Row, and was one of the founder/leaders of the Fellowship in its present form. Michael’s graceful acceptance of his illness has been an example and encouragement to us all, and has been an effective witness to those who cared for him. He will be greatly missed. Please pray for Vera, also for Sharon and Andrew.

Despite lockdowns, our fellowship remains active, and ‘open’ for the Lord’s ‘business’, to all enquirers and to those who seek true fellowship in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our ministry of the word has continued since last March despite current Covid-19 regulations. Our priorities are best illustrated by our 2021 motto text: ‘They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer’ (Acts 2 v42).

Please direct enquiries to Chris Dunton (07967 125199) in the first instance.

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Is your garden getting on top of you? Are the weeds out of control? Let me step in with the TLC it deserves. I am a local lady gardener with over 30 years of experience and knowledge to look after all aspects of your garden. If you need regular maintenance work or simply a “one off” tidy up, please call me on 07717 177695. I’m Jo Gray and here to help!

Easter cards for sale in aid of St Mary’s Church. A selection of beautiful hand-made and locally designed Easter cards are available for sale with all proceeds going towards St Mary’s Church funds. Cards will be available in church (payment in an honesty box) on Sundays and Wednesdays Or contact Jocelyn on 01258 474654.

DEADLINE DIANA The DEADLINE for the APRIL2021issue is 10am MONDAY 15th MARCH 2021. Any copy received after this time will NOT be published. Earlier submissions are always welcomed please, and very much appreciated. Thank you.

Editor - Voice of the Churches Diana J Lewis. Pentridge, Glue Hill, Sturminster Newton DT10 2DJ 01258 472704 (Answerphone) [email protected] Distribution - Michael Pearce - 01258 475462 [email protected]

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PARISH CHURCH OF ST. MARY, Church Street, Sturminster Newton

The Rev’d Philippa Sargent 01258 473905. [email protected] Benefice Services Every Wednesday Compline updated on the St Mary’s website Every Sunday Morning Prayer updated on the St Mary’s website 5th Sunday Benefice Holy Communion– venue and times vary ST MARY’S, Sturminster Newton 1st and 3rd Wednesdays 5pm BCP Evening Prayer 1st Sunday 11am Said Holy Communion 2nd Sunday 9.30am Morning Prayer 3rd Sunday 11am Sung Holy Communion 4th Sunday 9.30am Morning Prayer ST. PETER, Hinton St. Mary 1st Sunday 9.30am Morning Prayer 2nd Sunday 9.30am Morning Prayer 3rd Sunday 9.30am Morning Prayer 4th Sunday 9.30am Holy Communion ST. THOMAS à BECKET, Lydlinch 1st Sunday No service 2nd Sunday 11am Holy Communion 3rd Sunday 6.30pm BCP Evening Prayer 4th Sunday 11am Morning Prayer

METHODIST CHURCH, Church Street, SN. DT10 1DB

METHODIST CHURCH, Broad Oak

STURMINSTER CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP, The Row, SN

ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH OF OUR LADY, Marnhull During lockdown: Private prayer. Marnhull Our Lady's Thursday 9.30am-10-30am, Confession Gillingham St Benedict Wednesday and Friday 10am-11am. Saturday 11am-Noon. If lockdown is lifted: Sunday 9.30am Mass at Our Lady’s, and Thursday 9.30am. Sunday 11am St Benedict’s, Gillingham and Wednesday at 10am.

Please consult the websites for up-to-date information

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