St Michael the Archangel Dundry Parish Magazine August 2015
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St Michael the Archangel Dundry Parish Magazine August 2015 50p CONTACT INFORMATION Rector Revd. Charles Roberts The Rectory, Tunbridge Close, Chew Magna, BS40 8SU 01275 332199 [email protected] the rector’s day off is normally wednesday Associate Priests Revd. Sandra Lovern (Thursday-Sunday) - 01275 332657 revd. lovern is the first point of contact for matters relating to dundry Revd. Victor Barley - 01275 331086 Readers Dr Pamela Harman - 01275 332893 Mrs Margaret Masding - 01275 835342 Parish Administrator Pam Foley (Thursday and Friday) - 01275 331061 Churchwardens Jane Lyons - 0117 964 1338 James Le Grys - 0117 964 5730 Magazine Submissions and Advertising [email protected] WEB PAGES Lakeside Group - www.lakesidegroup.org.uk Village - www.dundry.org.uk THE SACRED HEART ROMAN CATHOLIC PARISH OF THE CHEW VALLEY Priest: Father Michael Healy - 0117 923 9706 [email protected] Deacon: Rev. Mark Forge - 01275 472 391 [email protected] www.sacredheartchew.info SUNDAY MASS 9.00 AM Please look on notice board outside church for other times or any alterations Rector’s Letter My dear friends, I am usually very suspicious of surveys, something I have mentioned before I fancy! Those surveys that focus on one apparently negative statistic and ignore the larger positive number concern me for the bias they represent. That said one of our churches has just completed a survey, canvassing opinion from both the congregation and the wider community, and the results have been interesting to read. We’ve received a number of suggestions of where we might focus our attention, and while many of the results are not very surprising, there is the inevitable split between those who would like to see some things change and those who would like things to remain much as they are. Q: “How many Anglicans does it take to change a lightbulb?” A: “Change, change??” Seriously, it’s a tough word to deal with sometimes, yet have a look around the Group and you will see changes being embraced all over the place. There is our monthly Filling Station, a new approach to worship and teaching, the Community Café at Stanton, a Café Church service coming up at Norton, a new 1st Sunday Special service at Chew Magna, not to mention the huge reordering schemes we have undertaken in no less than four of our churches so far over recent years. We are also expanding our ecumenical work in schools and elsewhere. Yet in many ways we maintain much of our tradition and heritage, and of course each faithful congregation independently manages and maintains our extraordinary buildings with little or no outside help. So what do you make of change? This month the church marks as one of its celebrations the ‘Transfiguration’. This story of Jesus being ‘transfigured’, or perhaps more properly ‘exposed’ as God’s Son, has always had a special place in my heart as it was the subject of my very first sermon. Key to that original, somewhat inexperienced, address were three words – “Listen to Him.” I was speaking to a gathering of South African Christians in 1989 as the country moved through a time of extreme turmoil, and for me this was the most important message that could be delivered to the people there. It is no less important today. Why? Because as people of faith, we need to know what we are to do, how we are to live, and what God is calling us to be. Every day, the church has decisions to make. It is true that nationally and locally too, we don’t always get it right! I venture to suggest that when we get it wrong, it’s usually because we are not listening. If, as we believe, we are guided by the Spirit, we will learn and know what we need to change, and what we need to keep, what we are being led to do, and what we are being told to avoid. This is the spiritual life. It is easy to stay where we are, and much more difficult to accept the challenge of change. But however we move into the future, we need to keep listening to our Master, offering him our prayers, and responding to His call. Yours in Christ, Charles Roberts Tower Open Days The tower will be open on the following Sundays from 2-4pm: 2 August; 13 September; 4 October Children must be at least 8 years old to be able to climb the tower. £2 for adults; £1 for children aged 8-16 DONATE TO ST MICHAEL’S Visit www.justgiving.com/ stmpccd or text DUND33 £5 to 70070 RAISE THE ROOF Abseil from the top of Dundry Tower. Amazing views over the whole of Bristol. Family day out with stalls, cake sales etc. Sunday 27th September 2015 First Abseil at 09:00 Dundry Church is currently closed and is in need of a new roof. The Tower is safe and remains fully operational. Please raise sponsorship to help restore this iconic Bristol Landmark and have a great day out with an unforgettable experience To register please contact Jane Lyons on [email protected] or tel 0117 964 1338 New Bishop of Taunton The Venerable Ruth Worsley is to be the next Bishop of Taunton in the Diocese of Bath and Wells. Ruth is currently Archdeacon of Wilts in the neighbouring Diocese of Salisbury, a position she has held since January 2013. Archdeacon Ruth is “delighted to be heading to Somerset” as the 13th Bishop of Taunton. After her ordination in 1996, Ruth served for 14 years as a parish priest in Nottingham in one of the poorest areas in the Diocese of Southwell and Nottingham. During this time she served as an Area Dean and was made Dean of Women’s Ministry for the diocese in 2007. In 2010 she took on the role of Parish Development Adviser in the Diocese of Southwark, based in Bermondsey. In 2013 she swapped inner-city life for Wiltshire. Ruth said, “I am surprised and amused to be chosen as the next Bishop of Taunton as I grew up in a non-conformist church where women held no roles of leadership. I am delighted to be heading to Somerset to join the diocesan team in this wonderful part of the world, moving ‘next door’ as it were. It will be a great privilege to meet and serve everyone who lives and works in the county. “In a diocese with such a mix of rural and more urban parishes, each I’m sure with its own distinct personality, I’m really keen to experience how our churches and the diocese are meeting those different needs. And how we can engage in the process of transformation, one which changes lives, both our own and others, and then influences the way in which we are ‘Church’ and brings about a renewed sense of community.” Reflecting on the atrocities in Tunisia, Ruth added, “In the light of the pain of the past few weeks we can all see the need to build bridges and forge relationships which will heal hurt, stand firm in the face of evil, and ensure that God’s compassionate love and justice are expressed in our lives.” Ruth’s first engagement as Bishop of Taunton-designate was a tour of the YMCA’s George Williams Centre at Bridgwater, which supports local young people without a safe place to stay by providing accommodation, advice and counselling as well as encouraging the wellbeing of the local community with everyday opportunities to get active. Ruth then travelled to Churchfield Primary School, a Church of England Academy in Highbridge to meet school children and staff. Welcoming Ruth, the Rt Revd Peter Hancock, Bishop of Bath and Wells said, “I am delighted by this appointment. Ruth is going to bring a wealth of experience in town and country to her new role as Bishop of Taunton. I look forward to sharing in the service of Christ with her and know our parishes, schools, chaplaincies and all our communities will benefit from the gifts she brings. “The mission of the Church will be greatly enhanced through Ruth’s contribution to the leadership of the diocese as together we seek God’s vision for the people and places of Somerset.” Ruth will be ordained and consecrated as a Bishop by the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby in London this autumn. She will then be officially installed as Bishop of Taunton in Wells Cathedral later this year. Ruth will live in Wells and work from the Bishops’ Office at the Bishop’s Palace in Wells, alongside Bishop Peter Hancock. You can read more and watch a video message on the diocesan website at www. bathandwells.org.uk. The Bishop of Taunton’s role is that of a Suffragan Bishop. Ruth’s role will be to support the Bishop of Bath and Wells, who is the Diocesan Bishop, much akin to a deputy. Some key facts about Ruth: Aged 53. Ruth was born in Hampton, Middlesex in 1962 and grew up under the flight path of Heathrow airport in Ashford and Staines. Attended the University of Manchester and St John’s College, Nottingham. Ordained in 1996. Currently Archdeacon of Wilts, since 2013. Married to Howard, Vice-Principal at Trinity College, Bristol. They have three adult sons. Ruth will become the 13th Bishop of Taunton CAT’S WHISKERS DIRECTED BY CAROL MOULE IN CONCERT AT THE OLD SCHOOL ROOMS CHEW MAGNA SUNDAY 13TH SEPTEMBER 5PM ENJOY A CREAM TEA AND A GLASS OF PROSECCO IN THIS BEAUTIFUL SETTING PROCEEDS TO DUNDRY CHURCH ROOF APPEAL TICKETS £10 FROM CHEW MAGNA POST OFFICE or TEL.