The Ridgeway Churches Childrey: Kingston Lisle: Letcombe Regis: Letcombe Bassett: Sparsholt: West Challow JULY & AUGUST 2021 Revd Leonora Hill Rector of the Ridgeway Benefice [email protected] 01235 760112 Rest Day: Saturday Revd Andrea Colbrook Curate [email protected] Tel: 01367 820553 Study Day: Tuesday Rest Day: Saturday Dear Friends, Respice Prospice is a fairly common Latin motto often used by schools and other similar organisations. Its meaning – roughly translated as looking back looking forward - invites us to reflect on the past but at the same time to look to the future. This summer seems as good a time as any to do just that as we continue on the path through and, we hope, out of the current pandemic. Something in our human nature draws us to make sense of what has happened by ordering it into a sequence of happenings and, reflecting over past events can be a useful way of helping us learn lessons for the future. On the other hand, some of us are more naturally inclined to look ahead, to anticipate, plan new experiences and, put the past behind us. I’d like to suggest we need to do both, to take time to process the past but also to look forward with hope and seize new opportunities to do things differently. This summer our churches are focusing on a time to Refresh, Reflect and Reconnect. Then in the autumn there will be the opportunity to explore the theme of Looking back ↔ Looking forward with The Revd Charles Chadwick who is the Parish Development Adviser for our Dorchester Archdeaconry and the Mission & Ministry Department lead for the rural church. (9:30am – 12:30pm Saturday 9th October: Griffin Memorial Hall, Sparsholt – more details in September). To aid our conversation you will find a short questionnaire in this month’s Signpost and also in our churches, the first opportunity for everyone in our villages to begin to contribute to the discussion. We very much look forward to receiving your replies. Linda Soames ************************************************************************************************************* FROM THE PARISH REGISTERS BAPTISM Oscar William Lauchlan Le Gallais 23rd May 2021 Kingston Lisle Zara Polly Veronica Parsons 13th June 2021 Childrey MEMORIAL SERVICE & BURIAL OF ASHES Sheila Jones 26th May 2021 Childrey Robin Peter Thompson 21st June 2021 Letcombe Regis MARRIAGE Simon John Payne & Emily Claire Waddell 29th May 2021 Letcombe Bassett Thomas McDonald Norrie & Angharad Victoria Verriour Marment 29th May 2021 Kingston Lisle FUNERAL & BURIAL Cecil Robert Witchell 2nd June 2021 Kingston Lisle *********************************************************************************************************** St Michael & All Angels, Letcombe Bassett Teddy Bear’s Picnic Sunday 15th August 2021 - 3:30pm – 5:00pm Letcombe Bassett Playpark Bring your picnic to the park & enjoy some games! WHAT’S ON IN AND AROUND THE BENEFICE.....!! Sunday 4th July: Open Gardens in Letcombe Regis during the afternoon. Please come and support the village and St Andrews and enjoy some beautiful gardens. Sunday 25th July: Afternoon Tea followed by Choral Evensong 4:00pm Afternoon Tea at Griffin Memorial Hall, Sparsholt, followed by 6:00pm Choral Evensong at Sparsholt Church with huge thanks to Wantage Parish Church Choir. An opportunity to give thanks to Leo Lee and to Anthony Lee who has served for many years as Churchwarden of Sparsholt Church Sunday 1st August: Pilgrim Walk for from 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Gather at St. Andrews, Letcombe Regis at 4:00pm and walk through the Nature Reserve to St. Michael & All Angels, Letcombe Bassett for Evening Prayer in the Celtic tradition at 5:00pm.The journey will include stops along the way for prayers, readings and reflection as well as designated times of silence and slow walking (Mindfulness practice). Return to St. Andrews, Letcombe Regis for 6:00pm via Warborough Farm. We hope you can join us either for the walk or Evening Prayer or both. Saturday 7th August: St Laurence Church, West Challow, will be celebrating their Gift Day this year with a Cheese & Wine event starting at midday. (weather and restrictions permitting). Sunday 8th August: A celebratory service starting at 11.30am will be held in St Laurence, West Challow. All are very welcome to both events. Thursday 19th August 7pm at the Church of the Holy Rood, Sparsholt, a Summer Concert by the Wantage Parish Church Choir. Grateful thanks to the Choir for giving this concert as part of their Stay Vacation 2021. Retiring collection in aid of the restoration of the church. Sunday 22nd August : 4pm Creation Service: Holy Rood Church, Sparsholt. Friday 17th September: St Mary’s Childrey looks forward to welcoming the folk group Moonrakers. Look out for posters soon with more details! Our new group for parents and new babies is proving hugely popular. Meetings take place every Monday from 10.30 am to 12.00 noon in a Covid-safe environment thanks to the generosity of the Methodist Church Centre, Childrey. First time parents with a baby under a year are very welcome but please book in ahead of the sessions. For all the details, contact Reverend Andrea Colbrook [email protected]. St Mary the Virgin Childrey, a Church in a Downland Village, Please Note that during July/August written by Rob Soames (Churchwarden/ morning/evening prayer will be on Wednesdays member of PCC 1986 – 2020) A new book Morning Prayer: 9:30am with more information about the church Evening Prayer: 4:30pm and the village of Childrey, is now available from the Village Stores. Any prayer requests then please get in touch with Leonora or Andrea. .