The foodbank

Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2014 13:50:44 +0000

Dear all

I would like to take this opportunity in thanking everyone for the wonderful gifts of food that have appeared at the food bank during the past months, it’s come from the local churches ,the churches in the villages, local businesses and from everyone who shops at Co-op, Morrison’s and Tesco and those who call into the foodbank.  It has been wonderful to see your generosity.

I have just this minute had someone come in who wanted to give me some spices which they felt would help liven up some of the meals that people get in a food parcels.  They then asked if there was anything else that I was short of, jam I said, half hour later this person comes back to the foodbank carrying a shopping bag filled with jams (mixed fruit and strawberry),there was honey, there was lemon curd, and peanut butters!!  I’m finding it quite difficult to describe what I feel when things like this happen.  It is amazing to witness people’s need to  help those who are in crisis and particularly someone they have never met.  Then picture this ;

A middle aged lady comes into the Foodbank, she soaking wet, she is wearing layers of clothing to combat the cold, and you can see from her face that she is at her limit. She’s living in a caravan down a lane as she and her husband have been evicted, the police want to move her on, she’s not in receipt of benefit yet as it takes six weeks to put a claim through,  she’s not able help herself as her energy is at such a low due to extreme cold, lack of warm food and lack of hope.  She then receives her food parcel, filled with the food that you all have so wonderfully given, and she starts to cry.  ‘Is there anything the matter I ask her’, she says she is so overwhelmed; that people would do this for her!  I say that I will pray for her, she thanks me and opens her purse to show me the cross that’s lying within.  All her prayers, hopes and fears are pinned to that cross and then the light of love is shown in one generous gift.

That is what your individual donation gives – the realisation that someone cares.

If you would like to make a donation we are short of the following items:

Tinned tomatoes

Fruit juices

Tinned fruit

Toilet rolls

Toothpaste

Toothbrushes

Soap

Hair shampoo

Thank you.

Gail Del-Pinto

Blandford Foodbank Manager

01258 456 093

The Dunbury School

Last week The Dunbury School became an ‘Academy’ which means it is now under the umbrella of the Diocese of Salisbury Trust, rather than the LEA. They marked this occasion with a church service in St Mary’s Church, Winterborne Whitechurch.  I would like to share their last week’s thought for the week with everyone:-

‘God loved us before we were born and loves us even when we do the wrong thing. As we start life as an academy, may we be a place where all people are loved, even if they make mistakes.’

‘A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another.’

 John 13 vs. 34

Blessings

Alan

Some thoughts from the Organist.

The Confirmation Service

'Twas a good service this evening
Said the Bishop to the Priest,
With a hearty congregation
Who also joined the feast.
The Lord sent down His Spirit
Who showered one and all,
Especially His servants
Who by His Grace He called.
As one by one He met them,
Hearing every name
A Blessing from the Cross Impressed
By Bishop upon the same.
Be bold be strong and resolute
Though weathered, tired and sore.
The Word of God made manifest
With Jesus at the core.
The song is strong and evil faints
When witness sounds again.
God's harmony is crowned in Love
As through the old refrain
We stir the soul to seek our God,
Through fellowship divine,
And learn again through word and song-
The Lord is yours and mine.

Gerry

The Rector's Letter

Dear Churches of the Winterborne Valley and Milton Abbas Benefice,

We have just had one of the most fantastic confirmation services. Thank you to all those who helped in so many ways. And a big thank you to God our Father for making it such a Spirit filled time! This was the first confirmation service in our benefice since 2001. I had not expected to be arranging one in my first year here. There will be more - if you feel this is a step you want or need to take, do speak to me.

Often, I think we wonder where our church is going and what is happening, because there is a failing in communication. So I am taking a moment to write to you, to let you know about what is going on behind the scenes. With 6 parishes, there can be quite long periods between when we meet and see each other which can mean that communication can be erratic.

At the Churchwardens' meeting in December we thought about how the first disciples put Jesus in a boat and pushed it out so that he could be seen by more of the crowds. I suggested that we, as Christians, should be doing that, both as individuals and as churches. Christmas would be an ideal time to focus on that. Winterborne Whitechurch's short notice Carol Service and Winterborne Stickland's Christmas morning praise service were part of that.

I also asked the gathering to review our mission statement and see if they could come back with a statement that responded to three points. The points were: 1. Something we could remember. 2. Something we were able to do and 3. Something that was achievable.

At the Churchwarden's meeting last week we had an item on the agenda: Reports from the parishes: Making Christ Visible. It was really exciting to hear all the reports on what has been going on and is continuing.

When we came to review the mission statement, it was  observed that we had it on the agenda in three words: Making Christ Visible! We have been doing this. It is thrilling to see groups of people working together and encouraging each other to make Christ visible. This is how our mission statement has become "Making Christ Visible." There is no doubt in my mind that this is what the first disciples did and what God is asking us to do. And we can do it! As we do, we should remember that whilst judgement is God prerogative, so is his love. It is his love that I ask you to show the world around you.

The second significant decision made, was to change the name of the Churchwarden's meeting. It was unanimously agreed that the meeting will now be known as the Benefice Leadership Meeting. This alteration in the name changes the dynamics of the meeting. It means that others can be members of it. For instance, it means that a PCC lay-chair, who might not be a churchwarden can now be involved. It means that the benefice treasurer can now have a voice beyond financial matters.

 

These are small but significant steps forward for our benefice. They will influence our thinking and decision making.

I hope and pray that as we move forward, we move united by the Spirit, engaged in the mission of God, opening up his Kingdom for many by making Christ visible to all.

Blessings

Alan

Church Services at a church near you this Sunday

Church Services in the Benefice

Sunday 2nd February

On Sunday 2nd Feb, Prayer and Praise will be led by

the Milton Abbas Upper Home Group.

The theme will be Church is for Everyone.

 It  will be a very informal service followed by

cake and coffee. It starts at 6pm in the Parish rooms

next to the church at W. Whitechurch.
 It would be great to see lots of people there

so we look forward to seeing you

W. Stickland         9.00 Holy Communion (said)

                             Book of Common Prayer

                             Rev’d Alan

                    

 

W. Clenston        10.30 Matins - traditional

                            Book of Common Prayer

                            Rev’d Jimmy

 

Milton Abbas      10.30 Morning Worship

                            Informal service for all (without Holy Communion)

                            Rev’d Alan

W. Houghton       10.30 Holy Communion

                            Common Worship

                            Rev’d Marion

W. Whitechurch  18.00 Prayer and Praise – In the Parish Room by  the

                             church

                             Informal, modern service

                             Led by the Thomas home group