Issue No. 6 February to April 2014
Welcome to the sixth edi on of the Newark and Southwell Deanery Newsle er.
Dear All,
For many in church life the respite following Christmas and Epiphany is already a memory. The Chris an Calendar will soon lead us to Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday, signalling the beginning of the Lenten season. As we all know Easter will seem for many only a hop, skip and jump way.
It is against this familiar backdrop the work of the Deanery proceeds. In January Rev. Stephen Morris was licenced at St. Mary Magdalene, Newark, where he will join colleagues Rev. David Anderton, Rev. Sam Tredwell and Curate Rev. Judith Pollard, thereby bringing the Newark team to full strength. Our thoughts and prayers are with Stephen and his wife Jean as they se le into Bede House and into Newark life.
For many the peniten al season of Lent falls into regular and almost expected rou nes of services, courses, retreats and other projects — they are all part of the mix. There is something about organised discomfort which a empts to engage and develop challenge that can become somehow expected, even safe. Using the gi of Lent leading to a place of real spiritual growth is an amazing opportunity, but can become stylised and even rou ne.
We would very much like to know what you are planning to do? Please contact the Deanery Office with any plans you have in your parish or group so that different ways in which lent is used can be shared.
This year we have Deanery Elec ons and there will be changes to personal circumstances. 2013 was an unusual year for me with the discovery in late November that I had Leukaemia. Preparing Christmas events and services and yet not sharing the Christmas gi with my church family was a very different experience, as has being out of ac on for Epiphany and Candlemas. I hope to be back for Easter and picking up the threads very soon.
I s ll have some specialist appointments to go, we are very posi ve about the outcome but it is a case of wai ng. Kris na and I have been extraordinarily touched by the many le ers, cards, emails and calls wishing us well. They have all made the experience of chemotherapy, recovery and hopefully remission bearable.
Revd David Milner Area Dean of Newark & Southwell Deanery
h p://southwell.anglican.org/about-us/deaneries/newark-southwell-deanery-home/ holidays, such as Royal Selston to Elston Week in Cornwall then later to New Wine. I, Revd Elizabeth (Liz) Murray was licensed at Elston Church in this Deanery on October the 13th In the early 80’s at St last year. My parishes are: East Stoke, Elston, Helens Selston, for two Kilvington with Alverton, Staunton with weeks we had students Flawborough, Shelton, Sibthorpe and Syerston, with us from Ridley with 7 open churches (and churchyards) in all. College Cambridge who were on ‘Mission Weeks’, in this they would look I am a No inghamshire lass, brought up in the at the work of the church and challenge us in our village of Selston in the coalfields of West mission. One of the students had challenged Robert No inghamshire, on the No inghamshire/ and I on why we led the Youth, asking, ‘was it for Derbyshire boarders; real ‘Ey up me Duck’ country. us, was it for the children, or was it for God?’ I
I went to Grammar School in Eastwood, and due to think this awoke both mine and Robert’s faith and an enthusiastic English Literature teacher had read challenged us in our service of God. all – yes all – of D H Lawrence’s book by the time I Intertwining around each other, we both held was 16: actually most of the (talked about) content responsibilities in the church (but not at the same went way over my head. time), such as Church Warden, Worship Leaders, Home Group leaders and Lay Readers. Robert was I began my working life in the textile industry, in ordained in 2000 and we served God in the Parish the laboratories, and a ended Trent Polytechnic of Annesley with Newstead, and then in Brinsley (now No ingham Trent University), day release for with Underwood as Robert took the post as Priest- 4 years to gain a Licentiate to the Textile Institute in in-Charge. Analysis and Textile Testing. I worked in the textile industry for 25 years, with a few breaks as I had a I was working in Social work and Advocacy for family. Rebecca is now 30 and William 25. people with learning difficulties, and also in the Mental Health services, I had felt the call to I met Robert Murray, my husband, at work, he had ordination for a while and in 2007 I began my trained as a Dyer in the Woollen Mills in the studies at EMMTC, thus being ordained in 2010. Sco ish Borders and had travelled to No inghamshire via Cumbria as the textile Sadly in February 2008 Robert was diagnosed with industry declined in Scotland. bowel cancer, and after treatment and short time of We both continued to work in Textiles until the remission he died in July 2009. His ashes are decline in this area in the late 1990’s, and after this sca ered in his beloved Scotland, on the farm by Robert worked as a Training and Quality the river Tweed where he spent his childhood.
Consultant and I studied for and gained a Degree I was just going in to my last year of training for in Social work. ordination, and with great support from family,
I had a ended church since childhood, my mother friends, the people of the parish, Bishop Tony and sending us to Sunday School at the local ‘Free Archdeacon Nigel Peyton, plus many others, I Church’ – the Church of Christ, at the age of 12, continued to live in the Vicarage at Brinsley and along with a few friends, I took up Bellringing at when ordained served my Curacy in the parishes of the Anglican Church of St Helen’s Selston to gain Brinsley with Underwood and Eastwood. my Girl Guide Campanology Badge. I then joined I am now se led in Elston and beginning my new the choir (a racted by the boys in the choir), and ministry in this area. I thank God for his guidance have worshipped in the Anglican Church since throughout my life, and trust Him for my future as then. I serve Newark and Southwell Deanery.
Just after being married, Robert and I were CYFA leaders, taking the young people on many camping Love Liz The Reverend Sheila Dixon 1946 – 2014
It is with great sadness that we report the death of Reverend Sheila. Sheila’s quiet, spiritual and She retired in 2011, but her ill health and its prayerful presence was a great blessing and an necessary treatment delayed her move to Malton in inspiration. We extend our sympathy to her family Yorkshire. Sadly she had very li le time to enjoy and friends. this much anticipated return to her native county before the ravages of cancer took her life far too Sheila came to the Su on Benefice in 1997 and soon. worked amongst the parishioners and with the four churches encouraging We remember her with affection, and with their growth. Her visits to the respect. There will be a service of schools were of great benefit as thanksgiving to celebrate her life on she had a particular gift for Sunday 9 February at 6.00pm in All Saints working with children. In 2005 Church, Su on on Trent. You are all she took on the Norwell warmly invited to this service. Benefice as well, bringing the number of parishes under her Balderton Printing Service care to eight. This was an enormous challenge and responsibility; she Canon Tony Tucker at Balderton con nues to worked tirelessly to bring the churches together offer a prin ng service at great rates. Please contact him on [email protected] and set up the Group Council so that the church or 01636 704811 for a quote and for more wardens could plan together. informa on.
“Feeding the world in the future: can we do it?” Lecture by Professor Tim Benton Thursday 13th March at 7 for 7.30pm in Southwell Minster All welcome, admission free Professor Benton will outline the challenges for food security (providing enough food for all) and the difficulties of doing it on less land, with less water and with climate change being a really potent force. He will discuss that sustainable production is needed to protect future generations and that this is itself a challenge and will end with discussion that for the most part the solution is for us to change our eating habits and demand less and waste less. In essence he will discuss the quotation by Professor Tim Lang: “the rich have to eat less, and differently, to allow the poor to eat more, and differently”. Professor Tim Benton is the UK Champion for global food security
Newark & Southwell Deanery Synod
At the next mee ng on Wednesday 5th February at 7 for 7.30 pm, at the Parish Church of St Andrew’s, Caunton an item on the agenda will be Vacancy in See Consulta on This mee ng is open to everyone. Dear Readers, doing God's work. This – if we are using this aright – is a work of the Holy Spirit, and therefore cannot be Recently I agreed to write this Lenten Reflec on - I'm nega ve. In our light hunger pangs resul ng from giving not sure this was very wise! Lent is a difficult subject up junk food, biscuits etc, we are helped to have an because its meaning I think has 'gone dead'. For years in empathy with those who are hungry because they have parishes I have known people have always been faithful no choice. The emp ness inside us is a mere hint of the to this old tradi on, but many I feel have sat in the pews reality others are going through, and this mild politely listening to me talking about it while thinking, discomfort is a means to reach out to others far more 'We believe in being posi ve, not nega ve, by taking powerfully in prayer than otherwise. Empathy and things on, not giving them up'. compassion were keynotes of Jesus' ministry, and were the opportunity for his Father's healing power and work When something 'goes dead' on people, how do you to be done. Surely fas ng used well can never be bring it alive again? Its like Chris anity has 'gone dead' nega ve. And there is no reason at all why people with the general popula on, and as Jesus said, 'If salt cannot do both – a mild fast and take up some extra has lost its flavour, throw it away! (Luke 14 v 34) Or is Chris an ac vity. there another approach? And then of course, we think about Lent leading up to We can only live our faith 'by our lights', by the level of Jesus' Crucifixion. Our sin, and sins, were laid on Him insight, understanding, belief and commitment that we (Isaiah 53 v5). So again, aware of our slight emp ness have. And we can only encourage any par cular when we usually like to enjoy a biscuit or whatever, can spiritual prac ce if we ourselves genuinely find it life be a tool for us as we think about what we have done giving, as opposed to feeling obliged to keep it going. by 'thought, word and deed', or even by omission.
Lent of course is taken as a parallel with the forty days And for Lent, or for fas ng in general, fas ng was a fast of Jesus in the wilderness at the beginning of his primary tool used for the evangelisa on of Europe – it is ministry. a way of saying to the Lord, 'I do mean what I say, what I am praying for, this means so much to me.' The During this season of fas ng, we are in par cular nagging emp ness in a light fast like Lent or a more aligning ourselves with the fear and grief of Jesus as he serious fast in very short bursts, can be used as a approached his terrible death on the Cross. And powerful aid to prayer. (But always avoiding any tradi onally, we are also expressing the realisa on that possible risks to our health.) the sin that we do and carry is something that costs, that causes harm to others and to ourselves. And that Lent of course in Old English means 'Spring' And as we we are sorry for it. And by fas ng in this way, Easter know, Spring brings such wonderful new life a er the Day with its feas ng and celebra on following the fast death of Winter. If we can take up Lent in its fullness brings home so powerfully the reality that Jesus who knowing what we are doing, then the awareness of was dead, is alive! Resurrec on and the prayer power of Lent is something for which to thank God. This is my par cular 'take ' on Lent, my par cular 'light': that to choose to make oneself hungry in a fast, is NOT the nega ve that people assume – it is a powerful Revd Richard Seymour-Whiteley spiritual weapon and part of the armoury of prayer in The Northern Lights Cluster
The Deanery’s Newsletter This is your newsle er. A way of communica ng with each other. To make it successful we need to receive your offerings.
The deadline for the next issue is 15th April. Please send in your entries to nsdeaneryoffi[email protected] or by post to Mrs Louise Riley, The Rectory, 3 Marsh Lane, Farndon, Newark, No s, NG24 3SS Flog It! comes to Southwell Minster If you’ve ever wondered how much your car boot sale bargains or loft clutter might be worth, now is your chance to find out. Flog It, the popular BBC One antiques programme presented by Paul Martin, is coming to Southwell Minster on Thursday 30th January 2014. The Dean of Southwell Minster, the Very Revd John Guille and the Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt Revd Tony Porter have confirmed they will be bringing along some of their own items for valuation and possible auction. See full release at www.southwellminster.org.uk
New Minster Exhibition reflects WW1 theme Artist and priest, Jean Lamb held her last major exhibition eighteen years ago in Southwell Minster and now, in honour of the centenary year of the outbreak of the First World War, she has chosen from her sculptures and paintings work to reflect the theme. See full release at www.southwellminster.org.uk
Vacancy in See The process of identifying the next Bishop of Southwell and Nottingham has started. It is hoped as many church members as possible will be encouraged to attend, to join the debate and help in the important task of appointing the right person to lead the Church in Nottinghamshire. Each session will start with prayer followed by an explanation of the process. There will then be discussion on what skills and gifts the next Bishop will need to lead the diocese in the transforming mission of God. The consultation events, which start at 7pm (unless stated otherwise), are as follows:
January 15: Nottingham St Jude, Mapperley; January 28: St Giles, West Bridgford; February 4: Worksop St Anne February 5: Caunton, St Andrew, 7.30pm (as part of Newark & Southwell Deanery Synod) February 19: St John’s Centre, Mansfield.
Holy Land – May 2014 There are two places left on the parish pilgrimage being organised by the Revd Andy Nicolls at St Mary the Virgin & All Souls, Bulwell. A single man and a single woman are sought to round up the twin room allocations. Sites in Israel, Palestine and Jordan will be visited between 12th May - 23rd May 2014. Cost £1730pp. Full itinerary available on request. Please contact the Revd Andy Nicolls 0115 927 8468 if interested.
Time to Talk Day – 6 February 2014 which includes: On Thursday 6 February, as part of a national advertising • enabling all members of the church community to campaign it is aimed to get more people talking about mental welcome, understand and support people with mental health health than ever before. The campaign aims to show that problems and their carers “It’s the little things which make a big difference” when it • ensuring that when we have mental health problems we comes to mental health – such as having a cup of tea and a can be as fully involved in church life as we wish. chat. And on Time to Talk Day we’re encouraging people to The MHAG is not expected to address the spiritual or do just that. The Time to Talk Day is an ideal time for psychological needs of individuals and their carers organisations to get staff talking about mental health and themselves but may help to signpost them to other sources highlight the mental health support you offer employees or of help. other work you have been doing to address mental health in Opening Minds is now seeking to work with about twenty the workplace. pilot churches to identify the training needs of ‘Mental Health What you can do - A cup of tea and a chat. Time to Change Awareness Guides’ We anticipate training will be offered to will be providing ‘Time to Talk’ tea bags, and if there is one this group and the first wave of Mental Health Awareness thing your organisation can do to support Time to Talk Day Guides in the early summer 2014. it’s to get staff talking over an organisation-wide tea break (or We hope to attract participation from a variety of churches do this in teams). with both large and small congregations. We would like to There will be a conversation starter on each tea bag and we include rural and town parishes as well as those within the will also be providing other supporting materials including a city. myth/fact quiz to help get people talking about mental health. To ensure their effectiveness in the role, the MHAG should These free materials will be available in January, so register have the support of both their church leader and your activity on the Time to Change website now and you will PCC. Opening Minds thinks it is helpful if the MHAG has be alerted when you can place an order: www.time-to- personal experience of mental health problems. change.org.uk/talkday We would be grateful if you could send names of those interested before the end of February to Catriona Gundlach (e-mail [email protected]). The launch event Mental Health Awareness Guides: will held on March 15th (9.30 for 10.00-12.00pm) at The Vine Community Centre, Bobbers Mill Road, Nottingham, recruiting the pioneers NG7 5GZ Many of you will recall that Mental Health Champions were For more information please go to http:// endorsed by Bishop Paul at the 2013 Diocesan southwell.anglican.org/mission-ministry/seeking-justice/ Conference. In response to the feedback Opening Minds, mental-health/ or contact Opening Minds decided to re-name the champions ‘Mental Health [email protected] Awareness Guides’ (MHAGs). This helps to clarify their role, Riverside Parishes of North and South Muskham, Kelham and Averham :
Palm Sunday Save the the service begins at 10.30am at North Muskham church followed by a procession (with a donkey) to North Muskham Methodist Chapel North Muskham. Date !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! There will also be a service at Averham at 11am again with a donkey.
Monday 14 April Saturday 27th at 7pm there will be a service of night prayer and meditation at Kelham, September 2014 and a similar service at Averham on the 15 April and North Muskham on the 16 April; all at 7pm.
Thursday 17 April We have at 7pm we shall have a Maundy service in the North Muskham Methodist Chapel Bishop Tony followed by a Tenebrae service and stripping of the altar in South Muskham Church. visiting our
Good Friday deanery during there will be a 'hot cross bun' service at 10.30am in North Muskham church the day and and at 2pm in Averham church will be a meditation on the Stations of the Cross. evening. Saturday 19 April in South Muskham Church at 8pm will be a Service of Light. More details to
Easter Sunday services follow in the begin with a service at 7.30 on the riverbank at North Muskham, next newsletter followed by a 10am service, with the choir, at 10am in North Muskham Church and at 11am there will be an Easter service in Kelham Church.
South Scarle church refurb provides worship place and community space
After months of closure, St Helena’s Church, South Scarle, is re-opening its doors as both a refurbished place of worship and a community centre. The Bishop of Sherwood, the Rt Revd Tony Porter is presiding over the official dedication and blessing on Sunday 2nd February at 12 noon. It will be an informal village event, followed by a buffet lunch, to which all are welcome. See full release at www.southwell.anglican.org
St Giles' Church, Edingley.
All Age Services last year which are themed to be appropriate to the Church Calender and are well attended. We are pleased to report a very successful All Age Service to celebrate Plough Sunday when a local farmer David Brown made available one of his tractors in the field opposite the church which has been ploughed and sown with winter wheat. The service was followed by a Coffee Morning in The Old School Room (serving as the Village Hall) which is undergoing a renaissance to bring it up to standard.
Our next all Age Service will be on February 9th at 9.00 a.m. to celebrate Candlemas followed by a Coffee Morning.
Following this on March 9th at 9.00 a.m. 1st Sunday of Lent, a coffee morning will follow, no doubt pancakes will be available! ASH WEDNESDAY March 5th 8pm. A reminder that all are welcome to the Eucharistic and imposition of Ashes at Southwell Minster.
ST MARY’S CHURCH BLEASBY SOUP AND CHEESE LENT LUNCHES WILL BE HELD IN THE VILLAGE HALL, GYPSY LANE, BLEASBY, ON SATURDAYS 15TH AND 29TH MARCH AND 12TH APRIL FROM 12.30 – 2 P.M. ALL PROCEEDS TO CHRISTIAN AID. EVERYONE WELCOME.
The Friends of Holy Trinity Rolleston and Some Useful 2014 Rolleston Village Hall Committee Dates for your Diaries present Deanery Synod Meetings A Quiz Night with Supper 5th Feb St Andrew’s. Caunton 3rd June St Nicholas, Tuxford in 16th October The Great Hall, Southwell Minster Rolleston Village Hall Churchwardens Visitation Service on 21st May at Christ Church Newark th Saturday 8 February Deanery Service 17th May at St Paulinus Ollerton at 7.30 pm 5.30 pm followed by Faith Supper
Deanery Social Event With famous Quiz Master 5th July Mr Clive Wisdom of The Crown Inn Cream Tea in the Great Hall followed by Evensong at The Minster £10 Tickets/Reserva ons available from: Bryan Northcote 812579 Deanery Confirmation Service 15th October 7.30 pm Julian Ellis 831165 Holy Trinity, Southwell Julian Richardson 816370 The Crown Inn 819000 Deanery Roadshows - Please book in advance. Watch this space for three events next year. They will headline Diocesan and Deanery vision - Living Supper: Pie and Peas with a Vegetarian Op on Worship, Growing Disciples and Seeking Justice with bar
Easter Services in the United Benefice of Farndon with Thorpe, Hawton & Cotham Check out Southwell Maundy Thursday 7.30 pm Holy Communion St Peter’s, Farndon Minster’s website for Good Friday 2.00 pm Final Hour St Peter’s Farndon more informa on Easter Saturday 7.00 pm Service of Light St Michael’s Cotham www.southwellminster. org Easter Day 9.30 am Easter Communion All Saints, Hawton 11.00 am Easter Communion St Lawrence, Thorpe 6.15 pm Easter Communion St Peter’s Farndon
Deanery Prayer
Most merciful God, our creator and redeemer, in bap sm you called us to be members, one of another as witnesses to your saving power.
The following churches are Grant that, united in your love, in vacancy in our deanery at and confident in your promise to be with us always, the moment. If you would like to support them by we may be led by your Holy Spirit, a ending any of their to be your living body in this deanery, services please contact the through Jesus Christ our Lord. deanery office for more informa on on service Amen mes. Please hold them in your prayers
North & South Muskham CMJ (UK) The Church’s Ministry Kelham Averham Among Jewish People
This is an Anglican Mission Society based at Farnsfield, Useful Contact Information working to bring the Gospel to the Jewish people and teaching the Church about the Jewish roots to our faith. www.southwell.anglican.org Saturday 1st March 2014 www.yourchurchwedding.org 10.30 am to 5.00 pm (Coffee from 10.00 am)
Revd Lucy Cleland, Chaplain to the Bishop Diocesan Day “Immanuel, God with us” [email protected] at St Helen’s, Burton Joyce Mr Nigel Spraggins, Chief Executive [email protected] Lunch can be provided for £3.
Archdeacon David Picken For further details contact the main office on 01623 [email protected] 883960 or email Jane [email protected] Mrs Jo Padmore Executive Personal Assistant [email protected]
Newark & Southwell Deanery Leadership Team
Area Dean: Revd David Milner Lay Chair; Mrs Penny Peterson Treasurer: Mr Mike Wilson Deanery Administrator: Mrs Louise Riley
Deanery Office: 3 Marsh Lane, Farndon, Newark, No s, NG24 3SS Tel: 01636 650063 Email: nsdeaneryoffi[email protected]
Hours of Opening: Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays 9.30 ll 3pm