St. John s Newsletter

Transcription

1 St. John s Newsletter Charity No JUNE 2018 Letter from the vicar Dear friends I recently heard a Dutch saying: Trust comes on foot but leaves on horseback. I thought it very true: building trust is a slow work that takes time, and yet it can be swiftly and quickly broken. It was quoted by Professor Veronica Hope Hailey, Vice-President of Bath University on a recent training day compulsory for all clergy in Salisbury Diocese. Her research has been into the current level of trust in various forms of leadership: she believes there has been a collapse of trust since the banking crisis and that we are now living in a new era, where we cannot expect to have the levels of trust we formerly had. A combination of rogue individuals and the systematic failure of corporate companies (such as the VW emissions scandal) has led to all positions of authority coming under greater scrutiny. She argued that trust now has to be worked very hard for; much more than used to be the case. Her workshop with clergy was to discuss levels of trust in the Church of England nationally, and levels of trust in clergy, and what we might do to help enable others to regain trust. I was interested in her theories about trust: in her research she had identified 4 drivers of trust that are essential if trust is to be fostered. The first is Ability: the competence and confidence to do the job. The second is Benevolence: concern about people beyond themselves. The third is Integrity: communicating your value setting and demonstrating you are living it out. The fourth is Predictability: reliability, consistency in behaviour (rather than an unwillingness to change). If you trust your google search engine more than you trust me, maybe you should consider getting a new doctor. It is very interesting to apply these to clergy, and even more interesting to apply these to the national Church. But what of the parish church? What message is here for us as the parish church of Broadstone? As individual members of the congregation? Do we have the trust of our community? And what might we do together to show those four values being lived out? What would those values look like in our church? A set of questions, this month, for you to ponder!

2 Children and Families: Come and See! All sorts of exciting events coming up for you to come and enjoy. Sunday 3 rd June 9am and every first Sunday of the month. Come and join us at Breakfast Church. We meet in the Church Hall and enjoy songs, crafts, stories and activities as we share breakfast drinks, bacon butties and rolls and croissants. Thursday 21 st June arrive from 4pm for a 4.30pm start. All the usual Messy Church fun: games, craft tables, decorating biscuits, learning new songs and stories. We end with a meal together. Sunday 24 th June 10am Family Service for our patronal festival: St John the Baptist. Come and learn about the saint behind the naming of our church! For all of these, please bring an adult with you who is your parent or guardian. We look forward to seeing you there! For all other 10am services on Sundays there will be children s activities available during the service at the back of church. Schools Update What has been going on with our schools this month? Revd Helen was delighted to be able to take her first assembly in First School, a new monthly arrangement. This happens in the form of Collective Worship where the whole school gathers together for prayer, a story and some teaching. As St George s Day had only been the previous week, Helen took them through two stories about St George: both the myth (the story of the dragon!) and the reality (the soldier George, of Turkish origin, who died a Roman s death for refusing to bow down to other Roman gods). We looked at the passage from Ephesians about wearing the armour of God and talked about how, like St George, we can be brave peace-keepers and stand up for good. As part of the fun one young child got to dress up, pieces by piece, in a Roman soldier s uniform, complete with helmet, breastplate, shield and a sword! There has also begun a discussion about whether we might take a bible-based activity called Open the Book into Middle School but more of that when we get something organised!

3 What does the concept of wholeness mean in the context of the Church? I have always found the word wholeness a more helpful word than healing : healing implies something is going to get better in a particular way, but wholeness implies more of a lifetime s journey with significant moments along the way. I believe in a God who longs to see us flourish, and part of our salvation is to grow into wholeness. The word salvation comes from the Latin salve to heal. In the New Testament the same Greek word meaning salvation can sometimes be translated healing. On Sunday 3 rd June at the 8am and 10am I shall use the sermon slot to introduce a few concepts about wholeness and what it might mean. At the 10am service that day there will be an opportunity to receive a prayer of blessing after you have received communion. This is a beautiful prayer which reads as follows: In the name of God and trusting in his might alone, receive Christ s healing touch to make you whole. May Christ bring you wholeness of body, mind and spirit, deliver you from every evil, and give you his peace. Anyone who wishes to do so is invited, on their way back down from the Eucharist, to have one of our LPAs pray this prayer and lay hands on your head as they pray it. This is not about bringing any particular need to God (though it can be) but simply an opportunity to receive God s blessing. You won t be asked if there is any particular need you have, as this isn t a moment for conversation. Whilst you may, in your mind, have a certain circumstance you are bringing to God, and that maybe someone else s situation as well as your own, you may not have anything special in mind: you may simply feel like you d like to have this prayer prayed for you. Your reason for receiving this prayer is private between you and God. If there is anyone who after the service finds they would like to chat with someone and receive more specific prayer, this will be available after the service. Revd Helen

4 What is GDPR? And what are we doing about it? You will have been receiving correspondence from companies as they rushed to be compliant with the new GDPR which came into force 25 th May. The General Data Protection Regulation adds new controls about data that organisations can keep about us. It enables us to be protected as individuals, rather than the companies who keep our data, and gives those organisations opportunity to tidy up data amassed over long years. Churches are not exempt and we are looking at what we need to do to ensure we are compliant. Due to the vacancy, this process has only been able to begin now, but we are working hard to ensure we are getting it right. I know there has been some concern about what it will mean for us: will we still be able to share coffee rotas? (Yes.) Are the MU still allowed to have each other s phone numbers? (Yes.) Is the Electoral Roll legal and should it still be pinned up? (Yes.) While we have to take seriously what we need to do, it s also important we don t panic. There are severe fines for organisations which break GDPR. Individuals can also be fined severely if they are breaking it and using data they have inappropriately. It does mean we have to change the way we do some things, but it isn t going to be as bad as everyone fears. These are the principles: 1. We have to be clear and open about why we need to collect someone s data and what we will use it for. We need to introduce a privacy policy on our forms for contacts with others e.g. wedding couples, Messy Church families etc. 2. We can only use personal data for the purpose it was collected. If we think we would like to use it in other ways, we will need people to sign a consent form e.g. if we want to contact a baptism family about a future children s event. 3. We should only collect the data we need and shred the rest! We need to be sure it is accurate and up-to-date. 4. Data should only be kept for as long as needed a consent form will help us keep information for longer e.g. Messy Church Families who agree to be contacted in future. 5. We should store all data very securely. In order to implement this, we are doing several things: 1. Developing consent forms to give to those whose information we wish to keep. 2. Starting a data audit to look at what information is kept and where, and who has access to it. We have to do this and may involve changing some current practices remember it is individuals who can be fined, not just the organisation. 3. Agree policy, tidy up our data-keeping systems and ensure erroneous data has been disposed of in compliance with the regulation. Please bear with us as we work hard to put these in place and please work with us! We may have to ask you what data you hold if you are actively involved in particular ministries and record-keeping may need to change and become more centralised. The Church of England has produced very useful guidance and sample consent forms on their website, and there is much reassurance there that ministry and the follow-up of contacts we have can still function. Thanks for your patience at this time! Revd Helen

5 Diary Round-up: Events at St John s in June Sun 3 rd Wed 6 th Sun 10 th Wed 13 th Thurs 14 th Thurs 14 th Sat 16 th Sat 16 th Sun 17 th Wed 20 th Thurs 21 st Sun 17 th Sun 17 th Sat 23 rd Sun 24 th Wed 27 th Thurs 28 th Thurs 28 th Breakfast Church 9am MU Eucharist 10.30am, followed by coffee and meeting 11am. 2pm St John s Ramble St John s Church Summer Fete 7.45pm St John s Fellowship 130 th anniversary celebrations 12 noon Wedding of Jonathan 11am Sat 23 rd June Chadwick and Hannah Morley 3pm Wedding Thanksgiving Refreshments / BBQ Sunday lunch 12.45pm Stalls and Side 4pm Messy Church Shows Baptism in 10am service: 12.45pm Sunday Lunch Games St John s Summer Fete 10am Family patronal festival Grand Prize Draw Entrance 50p 6.30pm Ramblers children free Service readings Sun 3 rd 1 st Sunday after Trinity: Deuteronomy ; Psalm 81; 2 Corinthians ; Mark Sun 10 th 2 nd Sunday after Trinity: Genesis ; Psalm 130; 2 Corinthians ; Mark 3.20-end Sun 17 th 3 rd Sunday after Trinity: Ezekiel end; Psalm , 11-14; 2 Corinthians , 14-17; Mark Sun 24 th 4 th Sunday after Trinity: Galatians 3.23-end; Psalm 85.7-end; Luke ,80 Occasional Offices from May Baptisms 27 th May Leo Carter Strong Weddings 17 th May Ashley Jacobs and Caroline Clapp Wedding Blessings / Thanksgivings / Renewal of Vows 24 th May Graham and Margaret Gimson Funerals 9 th May Funeral of Mrs Betty Targett at St John s Church 25 th May Funeral of Mrs Doreen Atkins at St John s Church 26 th May Funeral of Mrs Camilla Cashin at Harbour View Crematorium 31 st May Funeral of Mrs Pamela Cutler at St John s Church May they rest in peace and rise in glory.

6 St John s News from the Pews A more detailed look at what is happening in and around the church Morning and Evening Prayer Morning Prayer is at 8.30am on Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday (Saturday has a special focus on the NorthReach project). Evening Prayer is 5pm Tuesday to Friday. Also, we have: Prayer & Chat Wednesdays, 7am A group meet each week in the Lady Chapel to pray, read the Bible together, and chat about what we re reading to understand it better. We then go to Costa for coffee, a very civilised start to the day. Why not come and join us? Housegroups There are housegroups running across the parish on different days and at different times. We are enjoying watching and studying the film The King s Speech and exploring issues which arise out of the film. Do come and join one of these if you would like! It is a lovely way to get to know others and gently explore Christian faith and issues relevant to our lives. Have a word with Ken Pearce, who will be able to give you more information about the groups that are running. Mother s Union Wednesday mornings Wednesday has always been linked to the MU on the first Wednesday of each month, with open invitation to all to attend. Now the MU meeting has moved to follow on from this service. We meet from 11am in the small hall for coffee, conversation, updates and articles relating to our organisation. Do join us to find out what we re all about! All welcome. Next date is Wednesday 6 th June, and 11am Coffee and Meeting. St John's Fellowship Our meeting in June will be a summer concert. 'Jubilate', a group of about 15 unaccompanied singers, performing all sorts from madrigals to modern. Hopefully it will be a beautiful June evening so please wear your summer frocks and summer attire and bring your own drinks and glasses if you wish. Tea and coffee will be served at the end of the concert. Tickets for non members will be 2 - available at the door. We look forward to seeing you on Thursday, 14th June at 7.45pm in the hall. Jean Rigler St John s Rambling Group May Walks: Evening ramble on Thursday 28 th June This month s evening ramble will be led by June & Mike Webber and will start from 356 West Way at 6:30 p.m. We will have a circular walk exploring the greener parts of Broadstone, going via parts of the Pinesprings Nature Reserve, Castleman Trailway, recreation ground and Pocket Park. The group should be back at 356 West Way at about 8:30 p.m. when a cheese and wine supper will be provided. All members of the Rambling Group will be welcome at the supper, whether or not they have been on the ramble. The supper will still go ahead even in the walk is rained off. If in doubt on the day you can contact Mike on

7 WEDDING THANKSGIVINGS, BLESSINGS & RENEWAL OF VOWS There are many reasons why a couple decide to renew their wedding vows and have a special blessing in church. It can be a lovely thing to do as part of a significant anniversary for example, and many couples take opportunity to have a ceremony and blessing in church. At St John s we offer anything from a simple prayer after a service through to something similar to a full wedding service. If you are interested in this, do talk to Revd Helen who can give you more information and discuss costs. Plant Sale 2018 Thank you to all who helped in any way at the recent Plant Sale on May 5 th. Thank you to those who supplied plants, vegetables, herbs, shrubs etc. and for the delicious homemade cakes. Thank you also to those who set up on the Friday and helped on the day. Everyone enjoyed the morning especially sitting with a cup of coffee and a slice of wonderful cake. It was a difficult year for growing plants with the cold weather in March and April when seeds were slow to germinate and nothing grew very fast. Despite this, we had a good selection and raised for Church funds. Marion Marsh Northreach Update At the PCC meeting held on Thursday 17 th May, it was agreed that we should proceed with the revised design and ask the architect to draw up more detailed plans of this. We will display the plans for everyone to see as soon as these are completed, and look forward to hearing your reception of these. We will keep you informed at every stage of the process. Building Committee New Worship and Spirituality Group I have invited several members of our congregation who are actively involved in running aspects of ministry in connection with worship and spirituality to gather together three times a year. The aim of this group will be to review services and prayer / learning events of the previous four months and discuss services for the following four months. In addition, we will consider different worship and learning opportunities we might offer. Keith Manston will facilitate this group (Head Sacristan). The others (and area of ministry they represent) are: Ken Pearce (Breakfast Church and Housegroups); Geraldine Wilford (Messy Church); Jim Bull (organist); Paul Winsford (LPAs and ministry of laying on of hands); Elaine Mellers (PCC) and Eric Whapples (church wardens). Between us we represent a variety of church traditions and aspects of church life, which I think is healthy. We will discuss services we might offer at other times to existing ones everything from Saturday afternoon Café Church through to Sunday traditional Evensong. We will look at opportunities for study or quiet days and retreats away. My hope is that the whole congregation will be interested in these matters and feed thoughts and ideas through to any of the people on this group: together we can explore what we offer all people through this church, to nurture discipleship and worship, and to grow our church, to the glory of God. Revd Helen

8 Out and About in Broadstone and Beyond A look at what is happening in the wider parish and community Broadstone Fun Day on Sunday July 1 st at 12 noon to 4.30 p.m. Churches Together in Broadstone will take part in the Community Fun Day again, on the recreation ground. St John s will be running a stall, and we would be glad of help to erect the gazebo in the morning, and to help on the stall in the afternoon. There will be a car show; donkeys; dog show; bouncy castle; food and entertainment, so please support and bring children and grandchildren. Entry is free, and parking is 1. Access by Lower Blandford Road. Please contact June Webber on or mikewebber@ntlworld.com if you are able to help. Thank-you. Spotlight on Salisbury Diocese: News and Views Letter from our Bishop, Rt Revd Nicholas Holtam We are made for goodness, although the state of the world can make us feel otherwise. It was a long, grey, wet winter with a hot and cold but wet Spring. Maybe I am just getting older but the weather was breaking records for one extreme after another. The summer sunshine and long days are very welcome. Salisbury has had its problems recently. The impact of the nerve gas attack on the Skripals continues as the city seeks to recover its place as a destination for shoppers and tourists who want to enjoy a peaceful day out. What took place here is being used internationally in ways that do not leave me feeling comforted. What I want, and pray for, is peace between all people. The beautiful exhibition of origami doves in the cathedral expresses that and the city has responded positively. Many shops have doves in their windows. The story we want to tell from Salisbury is of our overcoming terror and violence and making peace. The international news of late has been grim the opening of the US embassy in Jerusalem; the appalling violence in Gaza; the suicide bombing in Indonesia by families, including children; the continuing violence in Syria, Yemen, and Iraq and so on and on and on. It makes the way we live our daily lives all the more important as a response to the world. We are made for goodness. Seek to build on it in whatever ways you can. The Royal Wedding is helping to cheer the whole country up. In some ways that is pretty superficial but if it causes us to think about whom we love, to value relationships, and commit more deeply that is a very good thing. The world gets changed by millions of small actions for good. Let s do it. DEADLINE FOR NEWSLETTER SUBMISSIONS Friday 15 th June. THE NEXT EDITION IS A JOINT JULY/AUGUST EDITION. Please all items to Revd Helen at revdhelenbailey@gmail.com AND office@stjohnschurchbroadstone.org.uk as Revd Helen has taken on the newsletter.