June 2018 Speaking their language

Transcription

1 The Parish of Wellow Wellow Church and Parish News June 2018 Speaking their language by Matthew Street, The Vicar, based on Acts 17:22-28 Standing in the middle of the Areopagus, Paul said, 'People of Athens, I perceive that you are deeply religious, for as I walked by I couldn't help noticing your objects of worship, among which I spotted an altar on which was inscribed "To an unknown god ". What you worship as unknown, I now proclaim to you. The God who created the world and all things in it, the Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in shrines made by human hands, nor is he served in the sense of being dependent on anyone. Rather, he gives breath and life to all things. He created all nations that live on earth from a common ancestor, and he established the times and limits of their existence so that they will search for God and, should they grope after him, eventually find him - although ultimately he is not far from any of us. In him we live, move and Have our being, as indeed some of your own poets have said, "For we also are his offspring. " (Acts 17:22-28) If someone were to regale you with Einstein's theory of relativity, how long would it be before you excused yourself? Unless you happened to be a physicist, I expect you would look for the earliest opportunity to escape. The subject may be fascinating to experts, but to most of us it is virtually another language. Communication is about speaking to people in terms they can relate to. This perhaps accounts for the astonishing success of the Apostle Paul throughout his ministry. Look at the way he addressed the people of Athens. As a Jew, his inclination must have been to talk of Jesus in terms of Old Testament prophecy, and, as a Pharisee, in terms of the Jewish Law; but he did neither, because he knew such concepts would mean nothing to his Greek listeners. He needed to speak to them in terms of their own faith and culture, and that is precisely what he did, quoting, in a masterstroke, from Epimenides and Eratus, two of their own poets - in other words, talking their language. Do we follow their example when we share our faith, or do we slip into the language of jargon? Effective testimony takes two things: a willingness to speak honestly about what God means to us, and a sensitivity towards those we are talking to, so that God may speak to them in turn. Visit the Church Website:

2 Sunday Services in June Paul s Second Missionary Journey (Acts 15:36 18:22) Sunday 3 rd June 10:00 Talk: Come over and help us Acts 15:36 16:15 Leader: Jo Vening Speaker: Dick Beath Sunday 10 th June 10:00 HC Talk: What must I do to be saved? Acts 16:16-40 Leader: Matthew Street Speaker: Jerry Curd Sunday 17 th June 10:00 Talk: Proclaiming the unknown God Acts 17:16-34 Leader: Jo Vening Speaker: Nico Webb Sunday 24 th June 10:30 St J s Group Joint Service at PSJ Talk: Discouragement and Encouragement, Jonah 4:1-11 Leader: Matthew Street Speaker: Tom Morgan Contact the Rector: The Revd. Matthew Street mgstreet@me.com or through the church website, see below Want to keep in touch? St Julian s Church sends out a weekly e-newsletter with all the latest news and views from around the Benefice. administrator@stjsgroup.church to subscribe to the mailing list. Advertising in this Newsletter FREE: Voluntary organisations based in Wellow. Fees apply to all other individuals and businesses who seek to gain financial benefit from advertising (irrespective of if they are based in Wellow or not): Contact Jenny Barr for more details and payments. Cheques made out to St. Julian s Church P.C.C Church Community Groups White Ox Mead Community Group Phone Nigel & Jo for more details Wellow Prayer Group Tuesdays at 3pm Phone Pauline for details Benefice Praise and Prayer Every Monday, The Vicarage, Peasedown St John God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. John 4:24 Please join us as we praise God, hear from His Word, and come to Him in prayer. St John s Peasedown 1 st Sunday - 10:30am HC 4:30pm SF 2 nd Sunday - 10:30am MP 4:30pm SF 3 rd Sunday - 10:30am HC 4:30pm SF HC 4 th Sunday- 10:30am MP 4:30pm SF HC= Holy Communion SF= Soul Food - A service with modern lively music followed by a family tea MP= Morning Praise Benefice Office For anything church related contact the Benefice Office: T: E: office@stjsgroup.church Visit the Church Website:

3 CHURCH NEWS Rural Dean A little while ago Matthew was appointed as the Rural Dean for our Deanery of Midsomer Norton. This gives him added responsibilities of oversight and care for all the parishes in this area and for running the Deanery Synod. This is an important and busy appointment. Joint Service On 13 th May we had a combined service for the three parishes in our Benefice. It was a real pleasure to welcome lots of families from the other churches for this combined and joyful occasion. During the service the beautiful new curtain over the North door, designed by Gertie and made by our sewing group, was dedicated. Food Bank Thank you to all who donate towards the much-needed Food Bank and to Dick Caudle who passes on our collections. Open Gardens and Art Trail We are delighted that on Sunday 24 th June afternoon our church will be the main venue for the display of paintings and photography. Teas will also be available. Hope you visit to see the display, it should be really good. 24 th June There will be no service in Wellow on Sunday 24 th June. There is the usual 10:30 service at St. John s, Peasedown. What wonderful weather to enjoy. Pam & Colin, Churchwardens LUNCH CLUB The next lunch in June is on Thursday 28 th at 1pm in the Village Hall. This is the buffet lunch and will be the last one before we break for the Summer. We will be back on Thursday September 27 th If you are unable to attend the June lunch, please let one of the cooks know as soon as possible. Thank you, Janet Martin (835254)

4 WELLOW PARISH COUNCIL 12 parishioners attended, approved minutes and accounts and received reports from the Chair and local organisations Annual Parish Council Meeting Billy Wright was re-elected Chair for the coming year. He thanked Debbie Clarkson for her fantastic work as Vice-chair during the previous three years; she was not standing this time. Pat Caudle was elected in her place. Planning Councillors supported applications by B&NES for repairs to the bridge at Wellow Ford, including dealing with the gabion baskets which have collapsed into the watercourse; and for replacement windows and re-rendering at George House, The Square. They left the listed building application for internal alterations at Church House to the planning officer. They opposed an application for front and rear extensions and attic roof conversion at Hilltrough, High Street, considering that a 6-bedroomed house with 5 bathrooms, one open plan kitchen-living room and a study is too large for this size plot and would too easily lend itself to an HMO or holiday letting. They noted that the application for a carport and store room at Church House had been permitted, while an extension at The Dairy, Baggridge Hill had been withdrawn. Mill Hill Drainage work is due to begin on or soon after 18 th June. The road will be closed for up to four weeks Sports Pavilion In spite of difficulties with water connection (apologies to Village Hall users for disruption during this work) the project is nearly complete. It is now hoped to have the Grand Opening in early July. Play Park The new surface at the entrance to the play park was praised. It was agreed to remove branches from trees overhanging the swings Next meeting Monday 18 June, Wellow Village Hall, 8:00pm. All welcome Robin Campbell clerk@wellowparish.info

5 WELLOW AND DISTRICT HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY What lovely spring sunshine. The Wellow countryside has gone green again and spring flowers are in abundance. The cold weather in the early spring has delayed many things and it was evident at the plant sale that people had trouble growing the more tender things such as chillis and peppers, as there weren't any, nor were there many beans or lettuces! It was still a hugely successful event and many thanks are due to Rob, who organised us and Avril who did a sterling job in the kitchen and all those others who donated plants and helped on the day. We raised just over 400. Although it is still a way off, 1 st September this year, we are busy sorting out the flower show. Remember that if you are a newcomer to the village (within the last 2years) there is a special prize to be won. We will be getting the schedule of classes onto the website, hortsoc.wellow.org, as soon as we can to give everyone the chance to get growing things to enter. Last year we managed to get the number of entries to go up by 25% in the horticultural classes which was a great achievement and bucked the trend experienced in most flower show of steadily declining entry numbers. As always we are desperate for people to help in any way they feel is appropriate to them. I know I say this every year and I don't think I have ever had a volunteer come forwards as a result of this message! Why not buck this trend and offer your services! Please contact myself or Avril on or Dates for your diary: Our excellent annual garden party is coming up on Friday 6 th July. Don't miss it! This year it is at Church Farm House, High St. Wellow by kind permission on the Sells. Their garden is stunning! The Bishops Palace in Wells are hosting the English Country Garden Festival 22nd to 24th June. info@bishopspalace.org.uk. Good list of speakers and stalls set in a beautiful garden. And don't forget the bee walk on 3rd June! Bridget and the committee Don t forget to visit the Wellow

6 THE CHERRY ORCHARD - performed by Miracle Theatre The professional Miracle Theatre will be visiting Wellow once again on Thursday 19th July when they will be performing 'The Cherry Orchard' adapted and directed by Bill Scott - a family friendly and entertaining evening. Miracle will unpack Chekhov s bittersweet comedy about a once-wealthy family, whose idleness and extravagance have brought them to the brink of bankruptcy. Obstinate and self-absorbed, they are deaf to the rumblings of change which surrounds them, and unable to accept help when they need it. Will it take a revolution to destroy their cosy world of privilege and entitlement or will their own stupidity be enough? Bill's new adaptation treads the tragicomic tightrope, bringing out all the humour and pathos of Chekhov s masterpiece which, more than a century after it was written is as popular as ever. So, pack up a picnic, bring a folding chair and arrive early to choose your spot. The programme will comprise: 6.30pm Hannah Banks - Trumpet welcome as people arrive 6.40pm Maryell Finisterre - Acclaimed singer while everyone enjoys a picnic. 7.30pm Performance begins - run time: approximately 2 hours plus interval. Ticket prices have been held at last year's prices and are available through the Wellow Community Shop (cash and cheques) or through Bath Box Office (credit and debit cards) online Ron & Sheilagh Humphreys (on behalf of Wellow Recreation)

7 WELLOW VILLAGE HALL Summer Quiz - Friday 22 nd June Doors open at 7.30pm, with eyes down at 8pm 3.00 per person - Teams of up to 4, with prizes for the winners Nibbles will be provided. Please bring your own favourite tipple. There will also be a raffle. Please call Shirley on or Vicky on to enter a team. Cream Teas Sunday 1 st July Cream Teas and a fabulous array of cakes await you at Wellow House by kind permission of Mr and Mrs Chivers. In their lovely Garden from 2.30 to 5.00pm WELLOW COMMUNITY CHEST A massive thank you to all of you who joined us and lent your support at the Chinese Night in the Village Hall on 11 May. We had great fun, enjoyed a truly impressive Martial Arts demonstration and ate the most amazing Chinese food! Thank you, too, to all of you who helped make this event a success, you know who you are!!! The proceeds of the night have been split between The Friends of St Julian, The Parlour Shop and Wellow Recreation. Wellow Community Chest FRIENDS OF ST JULIAN S A big thank you to all of those lovely villagers who came and helped to give the church its annual spring clean. A special thank you to John Rose and Rob Axe for braving the not so spring-like weather conditions and also to Nick Chapman for providing a hearty breakfast for us all! Thank you. The Friends of St Julian s POP Inn This months pop inn will be on Monday June the 4 th at the Fox & Badger noon- 2.pm. All will be made welcome to come along to enjoy some good conversation a light snack/drink-amongst pleasant surroundings Hope to see you there Shirley

8 WELLOW VALLEY TENNIS & WELLOW RECREATION A Date for Your Diary! Wellow Valley Tennis and Wellow Recreation are pleased to extend an open invitation to all Wellow Parishioners to the Launch and Official Opening of the Wellow Sports Pavilion to be held on Saturday 30 th June from 2pm (Opening ceremony at 2.30pm) This Wellow Parish Council led project was achieved thanks to the generosity of many Wellow residents and grants from local and national bodies. The pavilion (and loo) is for the enjoyment of all users of the Wellow Playing Field, Tennis Courts and Play Park and will be jointly managed by Wellow Valley Tennis and Wellow Recreation. Our policy is, 'if it's open just come on in' and the aim is to have it open as much as possible! Community Matters: Support your Village The Parlour Shop, the Village Hall, Church and Societies

9 WELLOW PARLOUR SHOP TURNS 20! In 1998 Marian Osbourne and a team of volunteers opened Wellow Parlour Shop to claims that it wouldn t last two years. How wrong they were. In June we celebrate the shop s 20 th birthday. With hard work and sheer determination, as well as the odd bump along the road, the shop has gone from strength to strength. Whether you need a last minute ingredient or are used to placing a weekly order for a range of quality produce, the village shop is here. We save residents the time and cost of getting in the car, but most importantly provide a meeting place and hub that, along with the pub, church and school, helps to keep our rural community vibrant and the people here connected. PLEASE CELEBRATE THIS MILESTONE WITH US Enjoy Pimms & a cream tea on Saturday 30 June 2018 at 3pm in the shop This month we re also getting set for summer and the annual Wimbledon fun with extra supplies of the freshest, sweetest local Cheddar strawberries and thick Jersey cream from Beckington s Ivy House Dairy. Pop in for yours! Wellow Parlour Shop THE WELLOW VALLEY GREEN GYM The Wellow Valley Green Gym is a new community group established to undertake projects in and around the village that contribute to our enjoyment and use of outdoor spaces. WVGG is registered and supported by The Conservation Volunteers, and operates as a not-for-profit charity. The Conservation Volunteers started the Green Gym concept to encourage more people to get outdoors and physically active. Working outdoors is the Gym part the Green part is about gardening and conservation projects. WVGG is supported by Wellow Hort Soc who generously donated 180 for our registration fee. All of our activities are fully covered by insurance. All work is done by volunteers You and Me! WVGG projects do need funds, and we already have already raised more than for specific projects.

10 WVGG has two projects underway: Chicanes at the entrances to Wellow These will be cleared and replanted with a mix of low-growing herbaceous perennials with a long flowering season and low maintenance requirements. The system has been trialed at the University of Sheffield. These plantings are intended to serve as traffic calming measures. We received 270 from BANES Community Empowerment Fund, and 150 from the Avon Gardens Trust community gardening fund. More funds are needed, and any donations for this will be matched by a generous donor. Contact Audrey on Community Garden WVGG operates a Community Garden to grow vegetables for Wellow Parlour Shop. The Secret Garden is at the southern end of Vera House alongside Little Hill path. This initiative supports the community by contributing to the income of the Parlour Shop. We have had loads of wonderful veg plants donated, and things are already growing. Volunteers can help with watering, harvesting, packing and delivering fresh produce to the Parlour Shop. Sports Facilities WVGG is maintaining the gravel areas of the Boule piste and the outdoor gym equipment, as well as the gravel surround on the tennis courts. WVGG will keep these areas weed free, giving users a neat and clean space to use. Volunteers from these sports groups would be more than welcome, please. Work will be done once a month. WVGG is considering other projects, and these will start if we get enough interest and can access funding. There are many ways that you can contribute to the WVGG community group. Contact Audrey Gerber to get involved. audrey.gerber@bath.edu PARISH NEWS Can you let me have any articles for the June edition, by the 19 th of July. As usual, you can either me at jennybarr44@yahoo.co.uk, leave at the Parlour shop or post it through the letterbox of Honeysuckle Cottage

11

12 Printed by St Phillip and St James Church, Oddown. Published and Promoted by St Julian s Parish Church at the St J s Group Office, The Vicarage, Church Road, Peasedown St John, BA2 8AA, administrator@stjsgroup.church