Page 2 - br-october-2018

October 2018 October 2018
with that of Wool into one new Benefice. It will be led by the Vicar of Wool (I think
she may be ‘re-graded’ as Rector) who is full-time and that there will be a part-
time priest, based in the vicarage in Bere Regis and generally responsible for our DATES FOR
two parishes. This will mean that these two will work together as a Team and will
be supportive of each other and will also cover whenever the other is
unavailable. This strikes me as eminently sensible so that one of the priests will YOUR DIARY
always be ‘on duty’.
2018
The other part of the proposal is that the next Priest-in-Charge of Bere Regis and
Affpuddle will, as well as having the use of the house, be given a 50% stipend and
be contracted to work Sundays and three days a week. Again this has come after October
discussion with the Diocesan authorities. Members of both PCCs have now met 2nd Gardening Club Harvest Supper, ‘Walking in Mays Wood’
Revd Carol Langford, Vicar of Wool and I believe there is very definite enthusiasm
to move forward with the Proposal. 3rd Mothers’ Union Holy Communion, the Vicar 2.00 p.m.
6th Learn How to Do a Harvest Pedestal, Bere Regis Church 10.00 am
The next stage is that there will be a Consultation taking place which gives people
an opportunity to raise questions about the proposal. This we had thought would Demonstration with Diana Holman
take place during September/ October but may be later; I have to say that the 9th Floral Group, Annette Parker workshop
workings of the Church of England are often not at the fastest!! However there is
no need to rush. If any of you have questions to ask me, please do so! Above all, if 10th Autumn Leaves, Stewart Timbrell
you hear anything different from what I have written, please do your best to 13th An Evening with Rapport and Presentations
correct any false rumours!!
13th Mother’s Union Autumn Council and AGM, Durweston
I am sure that many of us do not take easily and kindly to changes and the 17th WI, Care in the Community
Church is continually challenged in how to use its clergy. In towns and cities, one
priest may have a population of tens of thousands in his or her parish. People 19th Purbeck Film Festival Briantspuddle Village Hall 7.30 p.m.

fondly (or not) remember years past when almost every village Church had its

own Vicar and sometimes, it seems, there are still similar expectations. The Church
family (Priest and people together) now share many of the tasks which used to fall November
to the Vicar. Pastoral visiting is now often undertaken by those described as Lay 6th Gardening Club, Strange, Bizarre and True
Pastoral Assistants and I am grateful to those who do that alongside my pastoral 7th Mothers’ Union AGM and Bring and Buy 2.00p.m.
care here. Licensed Lay Ministers occasionally lead worship and preach and
again I am very grateful. Churchwardens have heavier responsibilities than they 13th Floral Group, Michael Bowyer, (Tarrant Keynston)
used to as well. Looking into the future we must encourage one another to play 14th Autumn Leaves, Hilary Foggo
our part for the good of the whole.
Fundraising Raffle for Children in Need
This is the image of the Church as created by St Paul in his first Letter to the 21st WI, Christmas Sweets and Treats
Corinthians (Chapter 12) describing the People of God as a Body, each member
with its vital and unique part to play and each respecting and valuing the other
members. I really do want to thank all of you who do undertake tasks so December
cheerfully. I simply long, and pray, for more people to come on board as the
worshipping people of God in these villages. 4th Mayhem, Mutiny and Murder-successful search for wreck in Patagonia
5th Mothers’ Union Christmas Party 2.00 p.m.
I am going to end with a saying of Nelson Mandela’s that I came across recently:
11th Floral Group Christmas Lunch, Athelhampton
“Look not back in anger, nor forward in fear, but around in awareness”
12th Autumn Leaves, Christmas Afternoon
Your loving Priest and Friend

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