THREE  PARISHES    NEWSLETTER    MARCH  2016            Dear Friends At  a  recent  meeting  a  staggering  and  fascinating  statistic  was  shared.  It  is  estimated  that  in  ten  years’  time  40%  of  the  current  clergy  will  have  retired.  I  will,  be  one  of  the  60%  that  remains,  and  I  must  admit  I  am  looking  forward  to  the  challenges  ahead.  Challenges  that  will  see  the  re  -­‐  imagination  of  church  as  we  know  it,  perhaps  a  greater  emphasis  on  lay  ministry  and  I  hope,  a  fresh  vision  for  how  we  minister  and  preach  the  Good  News  of  Christ  in  our  community.    This   Lent  we   are   encouraged   by   our  Bishops   to   pray   for   vocations,   yes   that  means   to  pray  for  those  men  and  women  who  God  may  be  calling  into  leadership  in  his  church  to  serve  as  priest  and  deacon,  but  also  for  lay  ministry.  I  want  to  encourage  us,  to  widen  our  prayers  so  that  we  pray  for  our  Benefice,  and  a  renewed  sense  of  vision  and  calling  in  the  church  in  Saltford,  Corston  and  Newton  St  Loe.      We   are  moving   to   that   time   of   the   year  when  we   often   need   volunteers,   from   church  wardens,   PCC   members,   people   to   help   with   children’s   ministry,   brass   cleaners,   lay  worship  leaders,  people  to  lead  prayers  in  church,  and  so  on.  Rather  than  think  of   it  as  who  can  we  encourage  to  volunteer,  I  wonder  if  we  should  be  thinking  of  it  in  relation  to  vocation.  Who   is  God  calling   to  service  him   in  a  particular  way?  Who  has   the  gifts  and  talents   to   lead  worship,   to   teach   children,   to   lead  a  home  group,   to  manage  a  building  project?    Who  should  we  be  releasing  from  a  particular  task  to  enable  their  calling  to  a  different  area  of  ministry   to   flourish?  How  do  we  support  one  another   in  ministry  and  develop  a  shared  ministry  where  we  all  have  a  role  to  play?  Can  I  encourage  you  to  join  me  and  many  others  across  the  Diocese,  this  Lent  to  pray  for  vocation  within   the   church,   and  as   suggested  above   to  widen   those  prayers   to   include  our  church  and  the  particular  needs  and  issues  we  face  in  this  Benefice.      You  might  like  to  use  these  prayers:    God   of   our   calling,   your   Spirit   bestows   upon   your   people   a   rich   diversity   of   gifts   and  ministries;  from  this  royal  priesthood  raise  up,  we  pray,  women  and  men  to  proclaim  your  word,  to  be  stewards  of  Christ’s  mysteries  and  to  grow  your  kingdom;  in  the  name  of  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen    Lord  God,  who  calls  us  to  grow  more  like  Christ  in  all  we  do  and  are;  in  this  season  of  Lent,  give  us  a  deepening  of  our  own  sense  of  vocation  and  ministry,  and  help  us  to  see  where  we  can  best  use  the  gifts  and  talents  you  have  given  us.  

Enable  us  to   identify  and  nurture  all   those  you  are  calling   into   leadership   in  your  church  and  especially  those  women  and  men  you  have  chosen  to  be  ordained.  May  we  all  be  united  by  your  Spirit   in  our  desire  to  grow  your  kingdom,  to  share  in  your  ministry  and  to  serve  the  people  of  this  diocese,  through  Jesus  Christ  our  Lord.  Amen    You  might   like   to   join   us   on   a  Monday   evening   during   Lent   for   30  minutes   of   guided  silent  prayer  and  its  not  to  late  to  come  along  to  the  Lent  course!  Blessings,  

Daile    MOTHERING  SUNDAY  6TH  MARCH   :  An  invitation  to  join  us  as  we  celebrate  Mothering  Sunday  and  give  thanks  for  all  those  who  care  for  us.    9.30am  Family  Communion  at  Saltford  11.15am  Family  Worship  with  Baptism  at  Corston  4.00pm  Mothering  Sunday  Celebration  at  Newton  St  Loe    

An invitation for you to join us for our Lent Course 2016 as we look together at

‘The Church as a Community ’ Wednesdays  2nd,  and  9th  March  

 -­‐  we  meet  in  existing  home  groups  or  if  you  prefer  a  small  group  will  continue  to  meet  in  the  Church  Hall.  

Closing  Session  -­‐  Wednesday  16th  March  7.15pm  for  refreshments,  for  a  prompt  start  at  7.30pm  

 in  St  Mary’s  Church  Hall  Saltford  You  are  very  welcome  to  join  us  for  all  the  Lent  course  or  as  many  of  the  sessions  you  

are  able  to  attend.    

 An  invitation  ...

for  you  to  join  us  through  Lent  for  30  minutes  of  guided,  silent  prayer.    Mondays  7pm  -­‐7.30pm in  St  Mary’s  Church,  Saltford  on    

7th,  14th  and  21st  March  Come  and  join  us  as  we  pray  for  our  church,  our  community    

and  our  world.  Come  and  join  in  with  as  much  or  as  little  as  you  feel  comfortable  with.  

Come  and  spend  30  minutes  resting  in  Gods  presence  this  Lent.  

 

   The  Wilshere   family   are   planning   to  go  to  New  Wine  at  the  Royal  Bath  and  West  Showground   in  Shepton  Mallet.  We   will   be   going   Week   1   from  Saturday  23rd  July  –  Friday  29th  July.  If   you   want   to   join   us   for   a   week   of  camping,   fellowship,   amazing  worship   and   great   speakers   you   are  very   welcome.   If   you   have   never  been,  why  not   check  out   the  website  www.new-­‐wine.org   and   see   for  yourself.   If   you   do   decide   to   join   us,  get   in   touch   and   I   will   give   you   the  booking   code   so   we   can   camp  together.   If   a   little   hesitant   about  whether  it  is  your  thing  or  not,  or  you  don’t   like   camping,   why   don’t   you  arrange  to  come  and  join  us  for  a  day.        Parish   Administrator   and   Parish  Office  Our   new   parish   administrator     Liz  Benden   has   started.   She   is   working  Tuesday,   Wednesday   and   Thursday  mornings   (term   time   only).   The  Parish   Office   will   be   open   between  9.30am   and   11.30am.   Liz   can   be  contacted   on   01225   872275.   When  the  Parish  Office  is  closed  phone  calls  will  be  redirected  to  The  Rectory.      Please   Note:   There   is   a   new  benefice  email  address:    scnbenefice@gmail.com      Parish  Registers    No  entries  this  month    

HOLY  WEEK  2016  Across  the  Benefice  of  Saltford,  Corston  &  

Newton  St  Loe    

Palm  Sunday  20th  March  

9.30am  Holy  Communion  at  Saltford  11.15am  Holy  Communion  at  Corston  11.15am  Family  Worship  at  Newton    6.30pm  Café  Worship  at  Saltford  

 Monday  21st  March  

7.00pm  Compline  at  Saltford    

Tuesday  22nd  March  9pm  Compline  at  Corston  

 Wednesday  23rd  March  

9.30am  Holy  Communion  at  Saltford    

Maundy  Thursday  24th  March  

7.30pm  The  Last  Supper  at  Corston  7.30pm  The  Last  Supper  at  Saltford  

 Good  Friday  25th  March  

10.30am  Service  at  Corston  2pm  An  Hour  at  the  Cross  at  Saltford  

7.30pm  Good  Friday  Reflection  at  Newton  St  Loe  

 Easter  Day  27th  March  

8am  HC  (BCP)  at  Saltford  9.30am  Family  Communion  at  Saltford  10.30am  Holy  Communion  at  Corston  11.15am  Family  Worship  at  Corston  

11.15am  Family  Communion  at  Newton      

Parish  Roundabout    

Holy  Communion  at  Home  or  a  Visit:   If  anyone  is  unable  to  get  to  church  and  would  like  either  Holy  Communion  at  Home  or  just  a  visit,  please  contact  the  Parish  Office.      Copydate  for  the  next  newsletter  is  10th  March  at  the  latest.  Please  deliver  all  copy  to  the  Parish   Office.   If   you   produce   it   on   a   computer   it   would   be   a   great   help   if   you   would  please  email  it  to:  scnbenefice@gmail.com      Transport:  for  transport  to  a  service  in  the  benefice,  please  ring  the  Parish  Office.    The  Less  Able:  if  anyone  needs  assistance  to  fully  share  in  a  church  service  please  ring  the  Parish  Office.    

☩

St  Mary’s  Saltford  www.stmaryssaltford.org.uk  The  Parish  Office,    St  Mary’s    Church  Hall,  High  St.,  Saltford,  BS31  3EL  Tel:  01225  872275                                                                                    Email:  scnbenefice@gmail.com  Churchwardens:  Dave  Faulkner  01225  874133          John  Norris              01225  872750    Circle  of  Friends   :  On  Thursday  3  March,  Sue  and  Robin  Dixon  will  relive  their  holiday  in  Greece  in  a  talk  called  ‘In  the  footsteps  of  St.  Paul’.  This  will  be  in  the  Church  hall  and  the  start  time  is  7.30pm.  Every  one  is  invited  including  those  in  Corston  and  Newton-­‐St-­‐Loe  who  would  like  to  join  us.                

Hilary  Smedley  873189  Theatre  Trips  :  Tickets   are   available   for   GUYS   AND   DOLLS   at   the   Bristol   Hippodrome   on  Wednesday  13th  July  2016  at  2.30pm.  They  are  in  the  stalls  priced  at  £25.00,  they  need  to  be  paid  for  by  10th  May  2016,  contact  Olive  Wilkinson  on  873965  for  further  details      

 HOUSE  GROUPS  IN  SALTFORD  

 Tues  Evenings:  18  High  Street,  7.45pm  

Contact:  Ken  Plant  Tel.  01225  872904    

Wed  Evenings:  14  Golf  Club  Lane,  7.45pm  Contact:  Sue  &  Robin  Dixon  Tel.  01225  359014  

 Wed  Evenings:  5  Vernon  Close,  8.00pm  

Contact:  Julia  &  John  Norris  Tel.  01225  872750      

 Mens’  House  Groups  (meet  monthly)  

 2nd  Tuesday  of  the  month  at  7.30pm  for  8.00pm  

Contact:  John  Norris  Tel.  01225  872750  or  Dave  Faulkner  Tel.  01225  874133    

2nd  Wednesday  of  the  month  at  7.30pm  Contact:  Robin  Dixon  01225  359014  

   

☩   All  Saints,  Corston  www.allsaintscorston.org.uk  Parish  Office  Tel:01225  872275  Churchwardens:  Jane  Jones            01225  873475    Liz  Acton                01225  873955    Bible  Study:  The  next  two  sessions  of  the  Lent  Course  will  be  at  Newton  on  2nd  March  and  Corston  on  9th  March.  There  is  a  light  supper  at  7.30pm  followed  by  more  serious  matters  at  8.00pm.  The   final   session   is   at   Saltford   on   16th   March.   A   warm   welcome   awaits   at   all   three  sessions.    Easter  services:  Special  services  in  Corston  to  note  this  month:  6th          March:  Mothering  Sunday  –  Family  Worship  20th    March:  Holy  Communion  (instead  of  First  Sunday)  22nd  March:  Compline  at  9.00pm  24th   March:   Maundy   Thursday   Commemoration   of   the   Last   Supper   led   by   Canon  Farran  25th  March:  Good  Friday  Morning  Service  at  10.30am  27th  March:  Easter  Day  Holy  Communion  at  10.30am  led  by  Canon  Farran  and  Family  Worship  at  11.15am  led  by  Daile    Choral  Evensong:  On  Sunday  13th  March,  Evensong  in  Corston  Church  will  be  sung  by  Cappella  Nova  and  the  collection  will  go  towards  the  All  Saints  Corston  Church  Preservation  Trust.  Cappella   Nova   is   a   local   chamber   choir   with   which   Libby   Birts   of   Corston   sings.   The  Choir   performs   in   churches   in   the   Bath   and   Wiltshire   area   singing   at   Concerts   and  weddings  and  singing  in    Cathedrals  during  their  own  choirs’  summer  breaks.  This  year  they  will  be  singing   in  Wells  and  Exeter  cathedrals.  The  Music  selected  for  the  Corston  Evensong  is  as  follows:  

• Magnificat  and  Nunc  Dimitis  by  Walmisley  in  D  minor  • Preces  and  responses  set  by  William  Smith  • Anthem  for  Passiontide  Ubi  Caritas  by  Durufle  

The  service  starts  at  6.30pm  –  all  are  most  welcome.  

Spring  Bible  Study:  Spring  Bible  Study  evenings    have  been  arranged  for  14th  and  28th  April  and  5th,12th,19th  &  26th  May  meeting  at  8  Brook  cottages,  Corston  at  7.30pm  for  8.00pm.  The  proposed  subject  is  “Some  Old  Testament  characters  including  The  Messiah.”  All  who  are  interested  are  welcome  to  come.  

☩  Holy  Trinity,  Newton  St  Loe  www.holytrinitynsl.org.uk  Parish  Office  Tel:  01225  872275  Churchwardens:  Rosemary  Denning            01225  872617  Ian  Tadd                                                    01225  426489    The  Parish  Room:  The  Hall  used  by  Newton  Church  will  not  be  available  from  the  end  of  March  because  the   lease   from  the  Duchy  has  expired  and  a  new  use   for   the  building   is  being  considered.  The  Hall  was  the  Village  School  until  1970.  It  was  built   in  1698  from  the  endowment  of  Richard   Jones  who  was  a  wealthy  Bristol  merchant  and  was  part  of  the  Temple  estate  which  was  purchased  by  the  Duchy  of  Cornwall  in  1941.  The  Church  has  used  the  Hall  for  many  social  events  particularly  during  May  day.    It  will  be  missed  but  we  do  thank  the  Duchy  for  allowing  us  to  use  the  Hall  for  so  long.      SUNDAY   6TH   MARCH   –   A   MOTHERING   SUNDAY   CELEBRATION   with   gifts   of   flower  posies  followed  by  seasonal  refreshments.  We  hope  you  can  come  and  join  us.    This  years  Women’s  World  day  of  Prayer  will  be  held  on  Friday  4th  March  at  Saltford  Church  Hall  2p.m.  This  service  has  been  prepared  by  the  women  of  Cuba.    The  service  is  interdenominational   and   everyone   from   the   3   villages   will   be   warmly   welcome.   It   is  estimated  that  6000  services  will  be  held  in  the  U.K.  and  3  million  people  from  all  over  the  world  will  take  part.  Our  service  will  commence  at  2  p.m.  and  there  will  be  tea  and  biscuits  afterwards.      

☩    

How  Do  You  Pray?  Last  month  I  invited  you  to  ponder  the  question:  which  of  the  following  is  the  hardest?    

Give  thanks  in  all  circumstances  and  for  all  things.  In  everything,  present  your  request  to  God.  Pray  without  ceasing.    Be  still  and  know  that  I  am  God.    

Giving  thanks  in  difficult  circumstances  or  for  painful  and  unpleasant  events  is  very,  very  hard.  But  what  about  giving  thanks  in  hindsight,  when  we  see  how  God  brings  good  out  of  so  many  situations  we  would  not  have  wished  for?  Is  it  possible  that  we  sometimes  don’t  see  them  because  we  are  clinging  to  our  preferred  outcomes,  even  when  God  has  different  plans?  

When   presenting   our   requests   to   God,   there’ll   be   times   when   we   really,   really   want  things   that  we  would  hesitate   to   ask  God   for.  We  might   find   it   hard   to   justify   or   even  express  our  requests  for  them!  Praying  without  ceasing  becomes  easier  when  we  realise  that  prayer  is  any  action  on  our  part  which   turns   our   attention   towards  God,   or   any   response   on   our   part   to   the  Holy  Spirit  drawing  our  attention  to  God’s  presence  close  by  us  or  within  us.  Finally,  how  easy  do  we  find  it  to  set  aside  our  own   ideas,  plans,  solutions  to  problems  and  aspirations,  and  allow  God  to  be  God  and  in  control?  Prayer  is  a  precious  privilege  granted  by  our  gracious  God  and  we  are  talking  about  it.  

Let  us  pray.  Ken Plant

 ☩  

   The  Annual  Soup  and  Cheese  lunch  in  aid  of  Christian  Aid  will  be  held  in  Saltford  

Hall  on  Thursday  March  3rd  at  12  noon  until  2  p.m.    

   

A  Message  from  Bishop  Ruth    Dear Brothers and Sisters,  Bishop  Peter  reminded  us  last  month  of  the  hope  we  have  in  the  God  of  promises  as  we  look  to  uncertain  futures.  We  can  trust  God  to  remain  faithful  and  immoveable  whatever  our  circumstances.  Easter  has  always  been  a  moveable  feast  although  the  Archbishop  is  now  taking  soundings   from  other  church   leaders  to  see  whether  we  can   ‘fix  a  date’   for  Easter.  I  wonder  how  easy  that  will  be!  We   are   now   part   way   through   Lent   and   the   first   Sunday   of   this   March   is   Mothering  Sunday  which  is  celebrated  on  the  fourth  Sunday  of  Lent.    This  was  traditionally  the  day  when  people  would  gather  to  worship,  to  ‘rejoice’  (‘laetare’),  at  their  ‘mother’  church,  a  large  local  church  or  often  the  Cathedral.  As  this  practice  developed  so  those  in  service  would   have   the   opportunity   for   a   short   holiday,   to   return   to   their   homes,   to   their  mothers,  often  bringing  small  presents  or  gifts.    It  was  a  welcome  moment  of  festivity  in  the  season  of  abstinence  and  austerity.  A  sign  of  things  to  come…  However  for  some  of  us,  Mothering  Sunday  can  be  the  most  painful  day  of  the  year  as  we  remember   the   loss   of   a   loving   parent,   whether   known   or   not;   or   the   bereavement   of  never  having  been  able  to  be  a  parent  oneself;  or  the  death  of  a  child  we  have  loved  and  longed  for.  It  can  mean  that  some  find  it  too  difficult  to  be  in  church  that  week.  Perhaps  as  we  approach  Good  Friday   it   gives  us   a   small   insight  of  what   it  might  mean   to  have  been  Mary  watching  her  Son  die  on  that  cross.      So   how   about   a   different   take   on   Mothering   Sunday   this   year?   We   might   focus   on  remembering   those   who   have   ‘given   birth’   to   us   by   inspiring   our   faith   or   where   we  ourselves  have  played  a  part  in  someone  else’s  discovery  of  Jesus  as  a  friend  and  Saviour.  Who  might  you  remember,  give  thanks  for  and  pray  for?  

+ Ruth Taunton

MARCH  2016  DIARY  1st      Tuesday  7.00pm        Prayer  Meeting,  52  Uplands  Road    3rd      Thursday  9.00am        Morning  Prayer,  Corston  12  noon        Christian  Aid  Soup  &  Cheese  Lunch,  Saltford  Hall  7.30pm        Circle  of  Friends  7.30pm        PCC  Corston    4th        Friday  10.00am        Coffee  Shop,  Hinton  Close  Meeting  Room  2.00pm          Womens  World  Day  of  Prayer,  Saltford  Church  Hall    5th        Saturday  10.30am        Village  Market,  Corston  Village  Hall    6th        Sunday  11.15am        Teen  Church    7th        Monday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Local  Ministry  Group,  Marksbury    8th  Tuesday  7.30  pm    Joint  Meeting  for  both  Men’s  Groups  to  discuss  the  idea  of  Church  as  a  Community  433  Bath  Road  Saltford    9th        Wednesday  12  noon          Soup  &  Pudding  Lunch,  Corston    10th      Thursday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Corston  7.30pm          PCC  Saltford    11th      Friday  10.00am        Coffee  Shop,  Hinton  Close  Meeting  Room    13th      Sunday  6.30pm          Choral  Evening  with  Cappella  Nova  Choir,  Corston    14th      Monday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Local  Ministry  Group,  Marksbury    15th      Tuesday  7.30pm          Prayer  Meeting,  24  Anson  Close    16th      Wednesday  

7.15  for  7.30  pm    Lent  Course  Closing  Session  (Led  by  the  Rector  plus  refreshments)    at  Saltford  Church  Hall    17th      Thursday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Corston    18th      Friday  10.00am        Coffee  Shop,  Hinton  Close  Meeting  Room.  7.00am          Choir  Practice    19th  Saturday    10-­‐12noon  Coffee  Morning  Corston  Village  Hall  in  aid  of  Crohns  &  Colitis  UK.    20th      Sunday  11.15am        Teen  Church    21st      Monday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Local  Ministry  Group,  Marksbury    22nd  Tuesday  9.00pm  Compline  at  Corston    24th      Maundy  Thursday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Corston  7.30pm    Holy  Communion  at  Corston  led  by  Canon  Farran    25th      Good  Friday  10.00am        Coffee  Shop,  Hinton  Close  Meeting  Room    28th      Easter  Monday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Local  Ministry  Group,  Marksbury    29th      Tuesday  6.30pm          Prayer  Meeting,  433  Bath  Road    31st      Thursday  9.00am          Morning  Prayer,  Corston    

Coffee  Morning  ....and  things  for  sale  

 Corston  Village  Hall  

Saturday  19  March  10-­‐12noon    

Bits  &  Pieces,  books,  cakes  and  raffle    

In  aid  of  Crohns  &  Colitis  UK