Winterbourne Summer 2021
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Winterbourne Churches’ Newsletter www.fromesidechurches.org.uk www.salemchurch.org.uk Summer 2021 ST MICHAEL’S CHURCH Church Lane, Winterbourne, BS36 1SE Rector: Rev Malcolm Strange, 70 High Street, Winterbourne Phone: 01454 775529 Email: [email protected] Churchwardens Jeff Conway 01454 314184 or 07813 582589 Jon Trott 01454 775111 BENEFICE AND PARISH OFFICE 95 High Street, Winterbourne, BRISTOL, BS36 1RD Administrator Kathryn Nichols Phone: 01454 776518 Email: [email protected] Opening hours Monday, Wednesday & Friday 9am-1pm WEDDINGS/BAPTISMS/CONFIRMATION/FUNERALS Enquires should be made to the Benefice Office 01454 776518 PASTORAL VISITING If you need a pastoral visit or know someone who does, please contact Jo on 01454 775529 or Pearl on 01454 314184 St Michael’s Room Bookings Contact the Benefice Office 01454 776518 SALEM METHODIST CHURCH Factory Road, Winterbourne, BS36 1QL Minister Rev Leigh Maydew, 31 Quedgeley, Yate, Bristol, BS37.4JJ Phone: 07388 083488 Email: [email protected] To whom enquiries for Weddings, Baptisms, or Funerals should be made. Senior Steward Margaret Johnston Phone: 01454 773626 Email: [email protected] Hall Bookings Linda Lewis Phone: 01454 775768 Email: [email protected] 2 A message for the summer from Revd. Bob Conway Dear Friends As I write July’s Minister’s Message, we are continuing the process of reopening our churches of all denominations as relaxation of the Covid-19 lockdown measures progress. Indeed, we are all living in the hope that the Government’s planned relaxation of measures towards the end of June will have gone ahead by the time you read this, although recent developments regarding the Covid-19 variant first identified in India may yet force some curtailment of this. Let us all hope that correct and appropriate decisions regarding these relaxations are made for the good of all concerned, and that this latest variant of interest may be brought under control, as we continue to pray for the people of India and for all others involved. At a local level, Ministers from the Fromeside Benefice have been conducting live Sunday services in all of our churches for some time, along with offering a recorded internet service from one or other of our parishes on a weekly basis. This can be found on our Benefice website at https:// www.fromesidechurches.org.uk// Further to this we have also returned our mid- week Eucharists to their traditional slots in all four Benefice churches (See https://www.fromesidechurches.org.uk// for days and times). July is a special time with warmer days, lighter evenings and generally more pleasant weather. However, amongst the Saints we commemorate in the Church’s calendar, July 15th brings that of St Swithun an English Bishop of circa 862 and a man often remembered for his weather forecasting legend rather than his sanctity. Swithun was Bishop of Winchester from 852 until his death in 862. He was born in Wessex during the time the region was in the process of becoming the most influential of the Anglo- Saxon Kingdoms, and was educated at Winchester Minster. He was chosen to become chaplain to Egbert, King of Wessex and also tutor to Egbert’s son Ethelwulf. When Ethelwulf himself 3 became King (in 852), Swithun was appointed Bishop of Winchester, a very important and influential role at the time. Regardless of the importance of his role, Swithun is believed to have remained a man of simple tastes and on his death, and at his own request, he was buried in a simple grave outside the walls of the minster. However, in 971, some 90 years later, his body was moved to a shrine inside the minster giving rise to his notoriety in popular culture. This is believed to be because he was so upset at the translation of his remains from the humble grave that he had requested, to a special shrine inside the building, that a dramatic rainfall ensued, and which was interpreted as a sign of his spiritual power. Consequently, the legend that he subsequently caused it to rain for the following forty days remains a popular legend today. I wish everyone joy in their participation in the family of God in the coming weeks, a wonderful summer break, and a dry and sunny July the 15th, and the assurance of God’s love for us all. Every blessing, Bob, Bob Conway, Associate Minister Fromeside Benefice 4 WORSHIP IN OUR CHURCHES AT THIS TIME SALEM METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY SERVICES at 10.30 4 July. Rev Leigh Maydew. 11 July . Mr D Carter. 18 July Mrs D North. 25 July. Mr J Creech 1 August Rev Leigh Maydew 8 August Mrs B Isherwood 15 August Mr B Wallace 22 August Rev Leigh Maydew 29 August To be arranged Further details on the website www.salemchurch.org.uk 5 THOUGHTS FROM SALEM As I wrote last time, it is wonderful to have Salem back functioning every week. I’ve attended three excellent services since then-thanks to Margaret, stewards and preachers. I’ve also, thanks to May regulations, been able to make a personal pastoral visit - in fact two, to Joan Harwood, who, though now confined to the house, is in as good form as ever. I nearly forgot to produce anything for this magazine - without a wife, at home, to remind me. My mind is on my daughter’s ordination, due on Saturday 19 June, and I write immediately before going out to get to her manse in the afternoon. Normally, when Methodist ministers are ordained, they go through two ceremonies at the Conference, our governing oversight body. First, one afternoon, the Conference formally votes that the trainee ministers (we call them ‘probationers’) be received into full connexion, a sign that the Conference now approves, having tested them, they are right and proper people to be God’s ministers till their lives’ end. In the evening, they are ordained presbyters of the Universal Church, fit to serve as ministers of God’s word and sacraments in any Christian community though their ministry will normally be within British Methodism. The ordinations are carried out either by the present President of the Conference or a past President. He is assisted by two other ministers, one from an overseas Methodist Conference or united church which includes ministers, one chosen by the candidate, usually a minister who has been very important in their early Christian formation. My daughter had originally hoped that her Mother would be able to be take that role and it is a matter of great sadness that she is unable to do so. Ministers are ordained for life. They may, with the permission of the Conference, retire from ordinary duties, but they remain, and regard themselves as remaining, available to help out with ministerial duties when need arises - as indeed many supernumerary ministers do in this and other circuits, as my wife did until eighteen months or so ago. 6 In sacramental theology, the term indelibility of orders is sometimes used to underscore this. Many years ago, I knew a very devout elderly minister who told me of how, just before his ordination, his father, also a minister, said to him, ‘Frank, my boy, after ordination, you are God’s minister for life. You may end that life bedridden, but you will still have the duty and privilege of praying for all the people to whom you have been pastor even if you can’t any longer preach’. Paul puts it this way in Romans, ‘the gifts and the graces of God are irrevocable’. God never goes back on his word and gracious call, even when we do. Because of Covid, the normal pattern was disrupted for Judith and her year. They were received into full connexion last year, but the ordination had to be delayed till this year and now completes the pattern, which recognises her as a minister not just for Methodism (reception into full connexion goes back to Wesley’s pattern of recognising the preachers he had trained), but for the whole Church, where the tradition of the laying on of hands goes back to apostolic times and is indicative of loyalty to the original gospel as given by Jesus to his apostles. Love to you all from all of us at Salem, David. Don't stop too soon The story is told of a college graduation where there were a large number of graduates waiting to receive their degrees. Speed was of the essence, and so as the Chancellor presented their diplomas, he simply smiled each time and whispered: “Congratulations, keep moving.” It’s actually good advice for all of life, and for your Christian life as well. Discovering the reality of God’s love for yourself is life-changing, but – keep moving! There is so much more that God has in store for you! Paul in 2 Timothy says “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day….” So, wherever you have reached in your own faith pilgrimage, congratulations, but keep moving! 7 High Street, Winterbourne Tel: 01454 776859 www.break-charity.org Come & see what we have to offer... Donations always welcome... Good quality Ladies, Gents & Children’s Clothing Shoes & Accessories Books & Toys Household linens Small items of furniture Electrical items All at Low Prices Open Mon - Sat 9-5 8 9 It is just over a year ago, April 2020 to be precise, that I first introduced readers of this newsletter to the Ecochurch scheme.