THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND in and around SHAFTESBURY Key Ring December 2017 - January 2018 The Shaftesbury Team: Team Rector: The Revd Helen Dawes 01747 850589 [email protected] Team Vicar:s: The Revd Dr Simon Chambers 01747 852193 [email protected] The Revd Pam Rink 01747 590712 pam@ ShaftesburyCofE.org.uk Associate Priest: The Revd Jeremy Mais 01747 858931 [email protected] Curate: The Revd Kevin Martin [email protected] 01747 229706 Helen. Pam and Kevin have Friday, and Simon has Monday as his day off Co-ordinator for Hospital Visiting and Communion The Revd Jan Crossley 01747 852545 [email protected] Team Administrator: Katy Ashman 01747 853060 The Team Office, 5 Gold Hill, Shaftesbury SP7 8JW office@ ShaftesburyCofE.org.uk Web site: http:// ShaftesburyCofE.org.uk Open from 9am until 12noon Monday - Friday Office closed from 12noon on Friday 22nd December until 9am on Tuesday 2nd January Salisbury Diocesan website: www.salisbury.anglican.org Key Ring Clergy consultant: The Revd Dr Simon Chambers Editor: Wendy Tindall-Shepherd keyring@ ShaftesburyCofE.org.uk Tel. 01747 850821 Parish correspondents: Compton Abbas Gillian Cross 811263 The Orchards Rita Stranger 01258 472331 St John’s Enmore Green Jo Churchill 850432 Margaret Marsh Nancy Roberts 01258 472129 Melbury Abbas Tavy Bradley Watson 855819 Motcombe The Revd Pam Rink 01747 590712 St James’ Shaftesbury Jeanne Loader 854980 St Peter’s Shaftesbury Michael Pattison [email protected] 2 Leading Article At this time of year, as winter closes in and the days become shorter, I always feel a great sense of expectancy that seems heightened by the increasingly early darkness. Whether this is a hangover from my years in South Africa where there is very little difference in the length of the days and Christmas is in the heat of summer, or whether it is a childish excitement about the approach of Christmas, I don’t know. But I have to say that there is a part of me that quite looks forward to the clocks going back and the long, dark evenings. There is something quite special in being more in tune with the cycles of our planet. Being closer to the earth, as those in our farming communities know, gives us a sense of our interdependence with all of creation, and brings its own sense of holiness. Each season is different and special and somehow brings our faith and trust in God more into focus. The seasons of the Church tend to reflect the natural seasons of the year (at least they do here in the northern hemisphere), particularly Advent and Lent. Winter is a time of waiting, preparing the land to receive the new crops. Things that do grow throughout winter grow more slowly, seeds that fell in the late summer and autumn hibernate in the ground waiting for the warmth of the spring sunshine to awaken the life in them. Many animals do, too, slowing down their body clocks as they go to sleep for the winter. Advent is like that, a time of waiting and anticipation for the birth of Jesus and the celebrations of Christmas. Like the seeds in the dark earth, we await the light of Christ’s birth to awaken and renew the life in us. Advent is about beginnings, it’s the beginning of the Church year and looks forward to the beginning of a new heaven and new earth. As with all beginnings it is born out of the ending of something else, an old era giving way to a new one: the beginning of Christianity. Perhaps also reflected in our greeting the new year with a sense of hope and renewal. The light and joy of Christmas continues through the Epiphany season to the end of January when we have that marvellous celebration called Candlemas, the Presentation of Christ in the Temple. After their long journey the magi went first to Herod’s palace, expecting to find the new king in the splendour and majesty of the king’s residence. Yet, in the end the star led them to the humble stable where they found no crown, riches or splendour – no evidence of royalty at all. As they stood on the threshold of that humble stable they gazed in deep wonder at what they had found: heaven on earth, earth in heaven, humanity in God and God in humanity – one who the whole universe could not contain now enclosed in a little body. As they looked, they believed and did not question, as their symbolic gifts bear witness: incense for God, gold for a king, myrrh for one who is to die. 3 Like them, we too stand at the threshold, knowing full well what waits for us behind the door. We glimpse a reality that is endless, a mystery that we cannot define and we are called to respond by offering ourselves in love and service to this One who has given all for us. May God bless you in Advent, may the light and peace of the Christ child fill you at Christmas time and may the hope and wonder of the magi carry you through the new year. LPAs News It is the time of year when there are many events to think about , but I would like to encourage you to make a note of three which I can recommend in the next 2 months. Thursday November 30th at Orchard Park at 6.30pm there is an impressive Service when the Christmas Tree Lights are switched on. You can purchase a light to have on the tree to remember your loved ones who have died and the proceeds go to Joseph Weld Hospice who are so well worth supporting . Then on Sunday December 10th at 4.30pm there is the annual Team Christingle Service in aid of The Childrens Society, which is held at Motcombe this year. Do come along if you have not been to a Christingle before, and if you have you will want to come again! Thirdly do not forget the A.G.M.at St Peters on Wednesday January 24th starting with a Communion Service at 10.30am. Best Wishes to you all and enjoy any events in the Season of Christmas. Audrey Hooper A Message from Pam Rink Who is about to start a period of extended sick leave. Heartfelt thanks to all who have been so very supportive keeping me in prayer and for all the lovely cards I have received. The prayer support is wonderful, almost tangible in that it feels like being wrapped in a soft, warm blanket. I don’t intend to hibernate for the winter, like the animals mentioned in the leader article, so I’m sure that you will see me around in the next couple of months, although I won’t be taking any services. My prayers are with you all for this very busy season. I hope you have a very blessed, peace- ful and happy Christmas and send my very best wishes for the new year. I know that Pam will have the good wishes and prayers of every reader of Key Ring. (Ed) 4 Advent and Christmas Services across the Shaftesbury Team December Sun 10th 4.30pm Motcombe Team Christingle Sun 17th 11.15am Margaret Marsh Carol Service 3.30pm Enmore Green Carol Service 6.00pm Melbury Abbas Carol Service 6.00pm Motcombe Carol Service Tue 19th 6.00pm Compton Abbas Carol Service & Village Party Thu 21st 6.00pm St Peters Carol Service 6.30pm West Orchard Carol Service 7.00pm St James’ Carol Service Sun 24th Christmas Eve 4.00pm Compton Abbas Crib Service 4.00pm St Peter’s Crib Service 4.00pm Motcombe Crib Service 10.00pm Melbury Abbas Midnight Mass 11.15pm St Peter’s Midnight Mass 11.30pm St James’ Midnight Mass 11.30pm Motcombe Midnight Mass Mon 25th Christmas Day 8.00am Enmore Green Family Festival Communion 9.30am St Peter’s Family Festival Communion 9.30am St James’ Family Festival Communion 9.30am Motcombe Family Festival Communion 11.15am Compton Abbas Family Festival Communion 11.15am Melbury Abbas Family Festival Communion 11.15am Margaret Marsh Parish Communion Sun 31st 10.00am Enmore Green Team Communion at St Johns January Sat 6th 6.00pm St Peter’s Team Epiphany Service: Procession of the Magi 5 St Peter’s Disasters Relief Coffee Morning On Saturday 4th November a grand coffee morning took place in St Peter’s Church to raise money in recognition of the many manmade and human disasters, causing so much suffering, that have happened around the world during 2017. In addition to refreshments, the event included a raffle and stalls selling, gifts, cakes, craft work, books and DVDs. As a result £762 was raised which has been split equally between three British-based charities that are members of the Disasters Emergency Committee and are conspicuous for the work they carry out where disasters happen. Oxfam, Save the Children and British Red Cross have each been sent £254. Thanks to all those involved in organising and supporting this event which was also a happy social occasion, filling the church with friends and visitors. Gillingham Food Bank: behind the scenes The accelerated roll out of universal credit, including for Dorset in November, has generated increased media coverage of food banks. Thankfully, the Gillingham- based Trussell Trust food bank is well established. The demand upon it is consistent throughout the year. It also offers debt and heating advice as well as help with sorting out benefit payment delays. The food locally donated via Tesco in Shaftesbury, Waitrose and ASDA in Gillingham and other collection points is delivered to the food distribution centre.