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February 2018 February 2018

attended the funeral. Now that was an amazing occasion. The church in West
Lulworth was packed with people and some even couldn’t get inside. It was a DATES FOR
very moving and fitting farewell to a man and priest we had all loved; a man who
had touched the lives of so many people, helping us to find a closer union with
God. Our parishes were well represented on that occasion and over 60 people YOUR DIARY
attended our Epiphany service in Affpuddle which was also our local celebration

of his life and ministry here among us. Our main concern is for Joan and the family
and all so close to him, but we have to realise, too, that our life and worship must 2018
go on as he would have expected. For the time being there will be just some small
changes in our service rota. As from February, the service in Affpuddle on the First June
Sunday of each month will be at 11:30. In Bere Regis, the 8am on the Fourth
Sunday will not happen but there will be a simple shortened Communion after 12th Floral Group Party, Trisha Lewis
whatever service is taking place at 11am. At 8am services I shall use the readings 13th Autumn Leaves, Mary Graham
that will be used later in the morning, thus meaning I don’t prepare two separate 20th WI, Members’ Evening
sermons! 21st Pop in Performers Summer Show, Muscial 6.00pm
22nd Pop in Performers Summer Show, Muscial 7.00pm
I know that many people find it hard to accept that the Church is changing. It is
now a long time ago when every village parish had its own Vicar and we have 23rd Pop in Performers Summer Show, Muscial 2.00pm
seen the linking of parishes to spread more evenly the on-going work of the
clergy. It would be wrong to think that a parish of say 200 people should have a
full-time priest when another of 10,000 or more should also just have one. That is
why, of course, that I am is what is described as a ‘house-for-duty’ Vicar; paid by July
the use of a house, but no stipend, for what is meant to be Sundays and two days 10th Floral Group, Vivienne Thompson
in a week. Well, you have probably guessed that I cannot work like that. We are 11th Autumn Leaves, Frank Holden
looking at ways in which in the future things could be different.
18th WI, Wareham Walkabout
One of my joys has been knowing that there are two other Christian churches in
our Parish; the Congregational Church in Butt Lane and the Methodist Church in
Bere Heath. It was a particular honour to have been asked to lead the August
th
Thanksgiving service in Butt Lane for dear Basil Norgate on January 9 . I am now 8th Autumn Leaves, Home Grown Entertainment
also looking forward to our joint Covenant Service on January 28 with Bere Heath 21st WI, Birthday Celebration Service
th
Methodists. These things would not have happened a few decades ago, so I give
thanks to God that Christian Churches are finding ways of working together; after
all, the truths that unite us, as fellow disciples of Jesus, is so much more significant September
than those things where we hold different opinions. 11th Floral Group, Anne Clark
12th Autumn Leaves, 47th Birthday Tea, Vikki Mayo
So, my friends, we can rejoice that some changes can be very positive and I hold
on to the wonderful saying found in the Book Psalms (86:15): “You, O Lord, are a 15th Bere Regis Alzheimer’s Memory Walk
God, merciful and gracious, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and 19th WI, Creature Teachers
faithfulness.” 28th Macmillan Coffee Morning, Lower Hall 10.00am-12.00noon

Let us take that reassurance into our lives whatever changes we may face.
October
Your loving Priest and friend
9th Floral Group, Annette Parker workshop
10th Autumn Leaves, Stewart Timbrell

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