January 2020 Published by Fyfield, West Overton and East Kennett View from the Rectory Parochial Church Council for ‘Wish I had 20:20 vision’ she said to the woman in front of her in the the Upper Kennet Benefice queue. ‘You don’t’ even wear glasses- whatever do you mean?’ came the little angels response. Come along for singing, snacks, Bible ‘If I had 20:20 vision I’d know what next year would bring and make stories, play and craft activities for sure I’m ready for it.’ toddlers. It took a moment for the penny to drop and then the two ladies roared Tea and cake for grown ups! with laughter. 10 am on Thursday mornings on 9th & 23rd January 6th & 27th February It got me thinking though. Here we are, two decades into the new 12th March. at Kennet Valley School. millennium, facing uncertainty, instability and lack of knowledge, Free of charge. asking what the next decade may bring? It feels somehow as if we have reached a crossroads in relationships with our nearest We look forward to seeing you there. geographical neighbours, a no-turning-back stage in environmental climate change, and perhaps even a milestone or two in our private Kennet Valley Lottery Club lives as we all grow older. An old Mike and the Mechanics song reminds us that ‘every generation blames the one before’ and that’s draw winners such a sad thing to reflect on at a time in history where more and more £100 Number 67 Jo Snape people are accepting accountability for over-using and under-valuing £75 Number 8 Amanda Oram £50 Number 49 F. A. Radford the precious commodities of people and natural resources. £50 Number 70 Mark Humphries I see and hear so much that is negative that I feel this New Year should (Some winners prefer that their names were not published, in which case we just state the winning begin with a counter view. There are more people who see the numbers) possibility for real and lasting change in all areas of our society and I If you would like to join the lottery, ring applaud the courage of people who refuse to sit back and do nothing, David Snape on 01672 861267 or email: who chose to become actively involved in caring for the planet, the [email protected] people and the community. I witness daily acts of random kindness Another way to support our churches at West that encourage love and tolerance and respect - a valuing of Overton, Fyfield and East Kennett individuality, the uniqueness of each person, honouring their journey, their path and their pain. And this far outweighs the selfishness and the apathy and the cynicism those in authority would have us accept as Notice Board the norm. Funerals This is not to say that we feel in control of life, the world or the Norman Holland 2 December West Overton universe but rather that we choose to continue to act in a way that Jeff Ward 16 December Broad Hinton changes the future one small drop of hope or kindness at a time. If each of us chooses to undertake one small act to make the world a better place in 2020 our droplets of love would become a flood that “A brief respite from everyday pressures – a time of peace, calm and silent reflection” brings transformation, not destruction. 2020 Vision for the next 10 years - to do what we can together to halt climate change, to offer MEDITATION (TAIZÉ) Service hope, to see another way other than what our tired, cynical world view Every fortnight on a Wednesday evening at East might offer, so that the next generation cannot blame the one before. Kennett Church from 7.00 to 7.25pm: a chance to And to make the difference we can where we can in whatever way we just sit quietly and relax and enjoy the silence and the peace by candlelight, with a background of occasional can ‘In Our Living Years’. singing and some words of wisdom. Happy New Year - I wish you 2020 vision. Future dates for your diary: Wednesday 8th January, Wednesday 22nd January, Wednesday 5th February, Wednesday 19th February Thank you for your support Our Christmas Tree sale, our Christmas Bazaar, and sales of our ‘Views from the Kennet Valley’ calendar have again been very successful, West Overton, Fyfield & raising over £4,000 towards much needed funds to support our churches at West Overton, Fyfield and East Kennett. East Kennett Churches Thank you to everybody who organised these events, those who Date for your diary! delivered trees and the many who pitched in to man stands – and to all who supported them. Our next Coffee Morning and Bring & Buy at We also raised nearly £200 for Wiltshire Air Ambulance and Cancer West Overton church will be on Research through the sale of Christmas cards etc.‘ Saturday 8th February from 10.00 to 12.00. www.upperkennetnews.co.uk UPPER KENNET CHURCHES SERVICES St Nicholas St Michael & Christ St James St Mary St Katherine & St Peter ad FYFIELD All Angels Church AVEBURY Magdalene St Peter Vincula WEST EAST WINTERB’RNE WINTERB’RNE BROAD OVERTON KENNETT MONKTON BASSETT HINTON 5 January 10.30 AM – BENEFICE SERVICE – COMMUNION – BROAD HINTON Epiphany 7 pm 10.30 am Wednesday Meditation Celtic 8 January Service Communion (Taizé) 12 January 9.45 am Baptism of 10.30 AM – PLOUGH SUNDAY BENEFICE SERVICE – COMMUNION – AVEBURY Prayer Book Christ Matins 10.30 am Wednesday Celtic 16 January Communion 19 January 10.30 AM – BENEFICE SERVICE – COMMUNION – WINTERBOURNE MONKTON Epiphany 2 7 pm 10.30 am Wednesday Meditation Celtic 22 January Service Communion (Taizé) 10 am 6 pm 10.30 am 11.15 am 26 January Holy Evening Holy Morning Epiphany 3 Communion Prayer Communion Prayer 10.30 am Wednesday Celtic 29 January Communion 8.30 am 10am 10 am 11.15 am 9.45 am Prayer Book Morning Celtic Holy Holy 2 February Communion Worship Informal Communion Communion Candlemas for Service Candlemas Home Communion If you are unable to come to a church service because of illness or disability then either the Rector or one of our Lay Pastoral Assistants would be happy to visit you in your home to offer communion. Please refer to the Who’s Who page at the back of this magazine for telephone numbers. Readings A Service of Celebration for Candlemas Sunday 2nd February, 10 am, 1st Sunday of Christmas Sunday 26 January – White Isaiah 63.7-9 3rd Sunday of Epiphany St Michael and All Angels, West Overton Psalm 148 Isaiah 9.1-4 Hebrews 2.10-end I Corinthians 1.10-18 Come and join us for a simple service of worship to celebrate Matthew 2.13-end Matthew 4.12-23 the ancient festival of Candlemas, traditionally the Feast of the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. It is the natural climax, Sunday 5 January – Gold or Sunday 2 February – Gold or after 40 days, of the Christmas and Epiphany seasons, so now, White White finally, is the time to take down your decorations! We shall Epiphany Presentation of Christ in the Isaiah 60.1-6 Temple light candles, enjoy images of light, hope and new life in Psalm 72 Candlemas hymns, readings and prayers, and spend a short time together in Ephesians 3.1-12 Malachi 3.1-5 worship. Matthew 2.1-12 Hebrews 2.14-end All the family is welcome. Luke 2.22-40 The service will be followed by delicious refreshments. Sunday 12 January – Gold or White Baptism of Christ Isaiah 42.1-9 Psalm 29 Acts 10.34-43 Matthew 3.13-end Sunday 19 January – White 2nd Sunday of Epiphany Isaiah 49.1-7 I Corinthian 1.1-9 John 1.29-42 2 www.upperkennetnews.co.uk Talking Tuesdays @ The Rectory Under The Beech Tree Avebury 7.30 pm A Space to Breathe Talk, Eat, Pray Winter Glow lively debate, great refreshments Fire pit and hot drinks Tuesday JANUARY 21st - ' Jerusalem Journey and new discoveries!' provided! Rev Maria will share her recent journey to the Holy Land including exciting new archaeological discoveries and How do you connect best update on the West Bank and the school in Gaza. with God in creation? Are you in need of a breathing space Tuesday FEBRUARY 4th - ' Those who Sing pray twice' simply to rest in the Divine Presence Come and share your favourite hymn, discover your own ' and be still within creation? voice' (crows welcome!) and dig a bit deeper into how music can add to our experience of God Then THIS might be just what you are looking for! Tuesday MARCH 10th - ' Don't Give something up - Give something OUT' Come and join us @ the Rectory, Avebury Explore how we might live Lent differently - no giving on the following dates/times up of chocolate or wine- an alternative look at Lent. th Monday 6 January, 6pm – ALL WELCOME followed by Epiphany Drinks and Cake! Saturday 25th January, 5pm Time Out Together in for Quiet Mindfulness, Guided Meditation, West Overton Sounds of Creation.` Thursday 23rd January, ALL welcome, wherever you are on your 12.30-2pm spiritual journey. The Old Manor, Come and join us for a simple lunch and chat to Lockeridge talk about setting up a regular opportunity to YOUTH CLUB share our faith by study, talking, prayer and friendship in our Benefice. All ideas of how this 7–9pm @ Kennet Valley Hall might work out are welcome ! School years 6–11 Everyone of all ages is very welcome at: The 50p donation Old Manor, (on the west side of the church), West Overton, SN8 4ER.