JUNE 2021 60P R i n g w o o d L i n k W e ' r e p a r t n e r i n g w i t h C o m p a s s i o n U K S e e c e n t r e p a g e s T h e C h u r c h o f E n g l a n d i n R i n g w o o d , P o u l n e r , B i s t e r n e , E l l i n g h a m , & H a r b r i d g e w w w . r i n g w o o d b e n e f i c e . o r g . u k A B O U T The Parish of Ringwood with Ellingham and Harbridge lies on U S the western edge of the New Forest and the south-western border of Hampshire. It is part of the Diocese of Winchester, in the Deanery of Christchurch, within the Church of England. R i n g w o o d P a r i s h i s p r o u d t o b e p a r t o f R i n g w o o d B e n e f i c e What is Ringwood Benefice? Goal 1 Ringwood Benefice is a family of six Church of England churches, covering Family the communities of Ringwood, Poulner, Have a toddler group, Messy Ellingham, Harbridge, Bisterne, and Church, and All Age service in St Leonards and St Ives. Ringwood, Poulner and St Leonards & St Ives. We share a common vision to Goal 2 ' D i s c o v e r L i f e & Worship M a k e a D i f f e r e n c e ’ Grow three new worshipping communities. This vision seeks to deepen our life together in Christ and our own Goal 3 personal discipleship, and then to share Community this life across our communities, Launch two social enterprises in homes, and workplaces. Ringwood and Poulner that foster community. We have four ‘big’ goals to live out our vision: Goal 3 Ministry Revitalise, reimagine, and re-establish rural ministry. FACEBOOK.COM/RINGWOODBENEFICE TWITTER.COM/RINGWOODCOFE INSTAGRAM.COM/RINGWOODBENEFICE YOUTUBE.COM - SEARCH RINGWOOD BENEFICE WWW.RINGWOODBENEFICE.ORG.UK O U R T H E C H U R C H O F C H U R C H E S S T P E T E R A N D S T P A U L Market Place Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1AW T H E C H U R C H O F S T J O H N T H E B A P T I S T Linford Road Ringwood Hampshire BH24 1TY T H E C H U R C H O F S T P A U L Ringwood Road Bisterne Hampshire BH24 3BN T H E C H U R C H O F S T M A R Y A N D A L L S A I N T S Ellingham Hampshire BH24 3PJ T H E C H U R C H O F A L L S A I N T S Harbridge Ringwood BH24 3PS P A G E 3 | R I N G W O O D L I N K J U N E 2 0 2 1 CONTACT US VICAR - THE REVD MATTHEW TRICK THE VICARAGE, 65 SOUTHAMPTON ROAD, RINGWOOD, BH24 1HE 01425 489898 / [email protected] ASSOCIATE MINISTER - THE REVD IAN WHITHAM THE VICARAGE, 30 PINE DRIVE, ST IVES, RINGWOOD, BH24 2LN 01425 552180 / [email protected] CURATE – THE REVD KAY PEAD 01425 489898 / [email protected] MINISTER-IN-TRAINING - SANDRA MATTHEWS 01425 489898 / [email protected] CHURCHWARDEN - JACQUELINE BROWN 07894 106402 / [email protected] CHURCHWARDEN - MATTHEW STEELE 07976 381133 / [email protected] BENEFICE OFFICE CONTACT SAMANTHA SWYER RINGWOOD BENEFICE OFFICE, CHURCH OF ST PETER & ST PAUL, MARKET PLACE, RINGWOOD, BH24 1AW 01425 489898 / [email protected] The office is currently closed to visitors however please call or email us, all messages will be answered WWW.RINGWOODBENEFICE.ORG.UK M I N I S T E R ' S L E T T E R Revd Ian Whitham FINAL WORDS As you all know, on the 30th of June 2021 I will no longer be the Associate Minister of the Ringwood Benefice. In fact, due to the Winchester Diocese pastoral reorganisation this post will no longer exist after that date. It feels strange to write this as I cannot believe how quickly the last four years I want you all to know that you will have gone since I arrived here in 2017. I always be in my prayers and thoughts, also cannot believe how much has and I am sure under Matthew's and the happened in those four years, including rest of the benefice leadership you will a pandemic. go from strength to strength as we emerge from COVID-19. It has been a roller-coaster ride at times, there have been good moments and As for me and what is the next part of difficult moments I guess like any parish my journey all I can say as I write is I ministry. However, the highlight for me have no idea! That said as I am currently has been getting to know you all over getting ready for an interview for a job the years. I can honestly say you have in a few days’ time and I am continuing been so encouraging. I really cannot to apply for different posts. I am sure remember how many times people that God will open a door somewhere have supported and encouraged me, I hopefully soon, and once again thank just know it is a lot of times. you for all your prayers and encouragements in this particular area. I am going to miss you all very much, It has not been easy, as you can imagine though I am sure I will pop in from time for myself and my family it feels like the to time. Nevertheless, I am so grateful to future is on hold at the moment. you all for allowing me to journey with you over the last four years. I am sure So, what final words of wisdom can I that it was not easy at first, having to give to you? Well, I could say things like inherit an Associate Minister but you all never judge a book by its cover, or never embraced me with generosity and send an email in anger. Or quote to you kindness of heart. from the book of proverbs or a quote but then had the resilience to respond backwards; but it must be lived forwards". I like that one. st few P A G E 5 | R I N G W O O D L I N K J U N E 2 0 2 1 from the beatitudes, or some wise words PRAYERS AND THANKS FOR that Jesus spoke in the gospels. Or I could REVD IAN WHITHAM even tell you all a joke, like the chicken and the frog one which I've never told Prayers in thanks and for Ian will be made you. Maybe I will do a short video of it and at the Benefice service on May 30th at put it up on my Facebook page one day, it SPSP 10.30am. will make you smile. Though I do feel I need to share a wise quote I received A celebration is planned at All Saints from Rev Michael Anderson just the other Church, St Leonards & St Ives on Sunday day which is, "Life can only be understood 20th June. For more details please contact backwards; but it must be lived forwards". Lisa on 01425 461512. I like that one. However, what I really want to say is this, keep your eyes firmly fixed upon Jesus Christ and fully put your trust in him. In life things can and do go wrong. People will let you down, organisations and institutions will let you down, that's just life, but Jesus will never let you down. We may let Him down at times, but He will never fail you. I say this as someone who has been a Christian for more than 40 years. I am always reminded of that famous poem, Footsteps in the Sand when things are difficult in life, because in moments like that we will often ask the question, “Where is God?” and God says, “I'm right here with you.” As that poem demonstrates he is in fact carrying us. So that is it everyone, my last magazine We would love to give Revd Ian a token of article, God bless. our thanks for his ministry among us. Please pass any donations to the Rev Ian Whitham, signing off for the last Wardens or the Benefice Office. time. ose funerals I take, that one of thd Hur the Church as mutually interdependent GENEROUS JUNE Promoting generosity throughout the month of June. www.generousjune.co.uk W E R E M E M B E R . TONY AND PEGGY WILLIAMS Thinking about Peggy Williams especially in May on the first anniversary of her death and of her husband, Tony, who died almost twenty years ago. To Ian, They were faithful members of the Parish Thank you for everything you have done Church for 30 & 50 years respectively.