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This month’s collection of Parish Magazines have tumbled through my letterbox, and once again, I’m impressed with the tales of mission and ministry that happens in some many creative ways, in so many places.  This month’s good practice is as follows:

St Bartholomew Benefice: The parishes are organising some away time together, to build confidence, to get to know one another, and generally have a good time with their Christian faith.  A sailing trip to France, over the weekend of 30 September to 3 October.  If the seas doesn’t float your boat, the a trip to the Holy Land is being contemplated for 2011.  A new monthly Sunday initiative called TOAST [Time on a Sunday together] kicks off with breakfast in the School Hall at Semley, with an informal, child and family friendly expression of church.  taste and see that the Lord is good!

Arrowhead, for the parishes on Salisbury Plain, is always a good read, and a mix of community, adverts, and church activities get a blitz in the editor’s blender.  I was impressed by the Shrewton School’s Party in the Park event; the Annual Orcheston Weekend, including tractor rides and target shooting; and the Re-Cycling page, which give people the opportunity of getting rid of, or requesting various items.

Steeple and Street, for Whiteparish in the Clarendon Team, offered some great summer fun in the Parish Picnic with food and games; a May Ball for the Pepperbox Pre-school; and the Whiteparish Pony Show, with collaboration with the local riding school.  They’ve also organised a Whiteparish tidy up day, to give the whole community a chance to contribute to making their village the tidiest in the area.

Focus – on the Community is the mag for the Nadder Valley Team, and included some local articles on the Neighbourhood Policing Team’s new Community Beat Manager, and also a report from the Tisbury Watch of the Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service, including a really helpful guide to the role and responsibilities of a retained firefighter – essential for the rural communities.

The Open Door, the mag for St Thomas’ Ensbury Park contains a helpful page of prayers; advertises a parish visit to the Theatre in Christchurch to see “The Screwtape Letters”; some book reviews; and a great puzzles and smiles page, alongside the usual news and views of the parish church and wider community.

Thank you to all those who send me their magazines, and I look forward to receiving others too.

Well, these past few days have been a whirl of social activities and festivities, as we come together and celebrate good things around the Area. 

Friday evening most of the Team were in Burbage to toast the very successful Pilgrims in Mission week in the Pewsey Deanery.  I was at another social event in the south of the County, as part of the Friends of Wiltshire Churches initiative, which seeks to provide a new source of funding for the Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust, of which I am Chairman.  We met at a beautiful house just north of Salisbury in the Woodford Valley, and raised a good sum of money which the Trustees will allocate to churches seeking to maintain and enhance their church fabric.  Check out the site at: http://www.wiltshirehistoricchurches.org.uk/Home.html We are looking for new members, and it’s very cheap to join, and we get so much fun from being a member – think about it?

Saturday morning, I attended the Salisbury Cathedral Open Day, and at 1000 hrs when the cathedral opened its Great West Doors, there were 400 people waiting to go in.  There was a real carnival atmosphere as people saw various exhibitions of the life of the cathedral and diocese, and tried their hands at various workshops.  The museums were open and free too – a great day out.

Saturday evening, we in the Learning for Discipleship and Ministry Team, gathered at our home in Bemerton to celebrate the mid-year and to enjoy one another’s company.  It was a good party, a little cold for outside dining, but a few braved it, and the conversation and laughter went on well into the night.  As I was preparing the outside tables a candle, in a large glass container caught the tablecloth which had been whipped up in the wind – just turn your back for a moment, and the cloth, and table supporting it, was an inferno!  I flipped the cloth onto the ground and smothered the flames – but it is true what the advertisements say – don’t leave naked lights unattended – even for a minute!

Sunday morning and I was attending a service in Pitton school, for both the church and school communities, who were gathering to say farewell to David Morgan, the Headteacher.  The service was quite superb – with a lay member of the church, leading a wonderful act of worship.  We had a dramatic reading of a passage of scripture, which helped us all understand how meeting Jesus transforms people’s lives.  We heard about Jairus, his daughter, an unclean woman, and one of the disciples – brilliant!  We also heard from three members of the Bristol University Christian Union, who were supported by the parish of Pitton last year.  Their witness and testimony of their work within the university and the city of Bristol was truly inspiring.

Back home and after Sunday lunch, the Bemerton Community Group Open Gardens event started, with yes, our home and garden taking part.  We had a steady stream of around 100 people come through – many of whom enjoyed a cup of tea  with us, and walked around the garden, and many good conversations were held.

Late afternoon, and I was back in the cathedral for Vespers, and a service of thanksgiving for the work of our  Foundation School Governors.  Tea with the Dean afterwards, and I came home, fully alive, and full of a weekend’s experiences of saying thank you, and raising both the profile and some money for important aspects of our common life here in this part of Wiltshire.

Well the last day dawned for the band of happy pilgrims, and the Team scattered ourselves throughout the parishes for Sunday worship in the morning.  I was detailed to go to East Grafton Church, St Nicholas, another first for me.  It is the most enchanting church, a little miniature copy of St Mary and Nicholas, Wilton, as you can see from the photo. 

I preached, and Rodney Harrison – the Team Vicar presided at a Common Worship service.  It was good to see people from the area there, and I was starting to catch names and faces that I’ve been encountering during the week.  In fact I preached on the subject of encounter, and that when we encounter Jesus, then he joins us on our journey, and then he changes us, and we join him on his journey – or at least I think I said something like that!

After bidding farewell at the door, I took myself over to Chute Causeway, and joined John and Rachel at the Tedworth Downland Ride and BBQ.  There were loads of horses, riders, and happy watchers, as the competitors took themselves along a ten mile fun ride course, and enjoyed the most beautiful scenery.  We stayed behind of course, and chatted and ate, and enjoyed the atmosphere of country people, enjoying country rides.  I was fortunate to gain a seat on a horse, and I think Rachel has some photos.  I used to ride around my country parishes, and it was so nice to be back in the saddle.  I enjoyed myself very much, and will certainly try and get a ride or two from time to time, and in honour of this, I was presented with a bright green rosette – which later confused people who thought I was a green party candidate!  I was certainly hungry, and we consumed, I think between us, one of everything from the BBQ and bar!

Moving on, we team went our separate ways, me to my host and hostess to pack up, say a huge thank you for the marvellous hospitality and generous giving of time and accommodation for this past week.  People are so open and welcoming to pilgrims I find.

Finally, we all gathered at the Crofton Beam Engine site for our closing act of worship – a Songs of Praise, and celebration of our week, with the reading of the winning entries in the poetry competition.  Music was provided by the Phoenix Brass Band, and Rodney compered the worship.  Bishop Stephen gave the final blessing, and as we shared the Peace, the heavens opened and were blessed by a heavy shower which encouraged people to continue their own pilgrimage journey. 

This is not the end of a week’s pilgrimage, but merely the start of another stage of a journey in the parishes and communities that make up the Pewsey Deanery.  Thanks to you all, and may God bless you, and may Jesus be your constant companion and guide, and may the Holy Spirit empower and direct you to serve him, and those with whom you share your lives.

Time is flying by in the Pewsey Deanery Pilgrimage – Unite FC.  Since we last blogged, the team has been out and about and I’m able to blog the events I have attended, and it has encompassed the whole of life’s journey.

Tuesday morning we gathered in St John the Baptist, Pewsey for breakfast and morning prayer, and then I headed out solo to Collingbourne Ducis Primary School.  The buildings are relatively new there, and it was lovely to see the children learning in a very spacious and well planned environment.  I visited classes, and met teachers, and saw a wonderful presentation on pilgrimage by the school, who have produced art panels showing the Christian pilgrimage through life.  A buffet lunch with Governors and staff completed my visit.  Check out the school for yourselves at: http://wiltshire.schooljotter.com/collingbourne

I then had to hotfoot it to Great Bedwyn, to join Bishop Stephen and Rachel at the Primary school for a special collective worship and blessing of the school’s sensory quiet garden.  Again the buildings were relatively modern, and the children very excited about the prospects of the Bishop amongst their number.  +Stephen spoke about being able to know when we were pointing in the right direction, and that we often need friends to help us turn around and travel in the right direction.  The school sang two hymns really well, and read some excellent poetry.  Another site for you to explore: http://www.greatbedwyn.ik.org/

Rachel and I then left the Bishop to bless the garden, and we headed south to Burbage where we joined the staff and residents of Seymour Court, an assisted living accommodation for older people.  They were relaxing after lunch, and we joined them for a cup of tea and biscuit, and found the conversations easy and fun.  Rachel in particular had a belly aching time of laughter and we were privileged and inspired to hear their stories, and chat about their life achievements.

Then the weather closed in and the rain came down, and we heard that the planned motorcycle ride to Poole Quay has been postponed – and my photo opportunity to sit astride a Triumph Sprint will have to wait!

On 11 June Mary Edwards, Vicar of  Collingbourne Ducis et al, has called to archery practice the villagers in a custom that dates back  to Agincourt (not that Mary was around at that time you understand). I shall be going to watch and might even see if I can draw a bow let alone shoot an arrow. There will be food and drink afterwards and you will find us on the rec in C Ducis, come and join us if you have a spare evening.

There is another custom from medieval times which I hope Mary doesn’t evoke at the same time. In medieval times the rural preisthood laid on fetes known as ‘church ales’ in the villages at which the peasantry was  encouraged to drink itself daft. If you were still on your feet after the first few hours, you could carry on drinking for nothing.

I some how don’t think that archery practice and drinking go together.

Like the others I have been preparing for the forthcoming pilgrimage. Today I went to sit, on a sunny afternoon, in a meadow attached to Standen House in Chute Standen to watch a group of people who had written and were performing their play.

The basic story is of a journey of self discovery – I won’t tell you any more as I hope that you will go tomorrow (Sunday) to see it yourself (cost is £10 and tickets can be brought on the gate). There were actors but also wonderful puppets of wolves, dogs and other animals; there were birds of all sorts of shapes and colours including a wonderful peacock with a proper tail; snails, rabbits and a bee. There was a nod towards Harry Potter with birds bringing messages and one to Monty Python involving a parrot. Unfortunately I didn’t think of taking a photo to add to this post.

It was a wonderful afternoon finishing with cream teas at the village hall, highly recommended.

This morning, Anita and I travelled out to Alton Barnes for another and our  final coffee morning before the Pewsey Deanery Pilgrimage starts officially tomorrow.  It was a beautiful day, and a wonderful day to drive out to the Vale of Pewsey, and to sit beneath one of Wiltshire’s famous White Horses.

We pulled up in front of the Coronation Hall at Alton Barnes, after quickly showing Anita the cherished Saxon church in the village.  Ours was the only car in the front of the building, and we suspected the fine day, and a Saturday would not be popular for the coffee morning.  How wrong could we be.  Inside was a welcome party of  four people, who quickly poured some very decent coffee, and implored us to choose freely from a selection of delicious cakes.  I picked a lovely slice of coffee cake, and an apricot slice.  No charge – donations only!

We took a table and chatted to the couple sat alongside, and within a few minutes the hall was packed with chatty neighbours, who clearly saw this opportunity to get out and get caught  up with the local news and views.  There must have been around 40-50 people in the hour we were there.  I managed to speak to most people, and found out so much from just listening to their story, their thoughts and ideas about community and the values that they try to live by.  Some recognised me from the Sarum Link articles [well done editorial team!], others had heard about the Pilgrimage week with the Bishop, and were looking forward to various events in the diary. 

Another indication of how this community welcomes people, was demonstrated when a local farmer’s wife, who has diversified into gypsy caravan holidays, brought into the carpark her lovely caravan, Tom the horse, and the family from Bexley who were renting the van for a few days.  I came out and chatted to the family, and visited the van – basic, but romantic, if that does it for you – and wished them God’s blessing for their journey this week, and asked them to remember us in our journey.  Anita took some photos – just for you to enjoy the caravan, and to show that my rolled up clerical shirt sleeves, and the cool but casual/smart chinos are still making me fashion fit and a fine fellow! Fancy the chance of a similar holiday?  Try your luck at: http://www.whitehorsegypsycaravans.co.uk/

I am now really ready and geared up to enjoy all that our Pilgrimage brings us – remember to check the diary to see what we are up to: http://www.unitefc.org/events.html

Countdown to the Ramsbury Area Pilgrimage Week 2010 has started, and events and visits will have been noted in the past couple of weeks, but for me, today was the start of some serious mission activity.

First thing, I went over the Burbage church centre, where a coffee and browse morning was underway.  Coffee and yummy jam doughnut for just £1, and a chance to browse around a few table top sales.  Good stuff too!  But for me the opportunity to chat a residents was priceless.  I chatted to a group of mums, and their children, about the village, the church, and their lives – fascinating.

Then, this evening I went back to Pewsey to the Bouverie Hall where we watched a film called Mugabe and the White African.  The synopsis of the real life documentary goes as follows:

Michael Campbell is one of the few hundred white farmers left in Zimbabwe since President Robert Mugabe began his violent land seizure program in 2000. Since then the country has descended into chaos, the economy brought to its knees by the reallocation of formerly white-owned farms to ZANU-PF friends and officials with no knowledge, experience or interest in farming. Mike, like hundreds of white farmers before him, has suffered years of multiple land invasions and violence at his farm.

In 2008, Mike, 75 years old and a grandfather – unable to call upon the protection of any Zimbabwean authorities and unable to even rely on the support of his fellow white farmers, all facing the same brutal intimidation – took the unprecedented step of challenging Robert Mugabe before the SADC (South African Development Community) international court, charging him and his government with racial discrimination and of violations of Human Rights. 

This film is an intimate account of one family’s astonishing bravery in the face of brutality, in a fight to protect their property, their livelihood and their country. The outcome of the court case potentially determining not just the future that lies ahead for Mike and his family, but the future of millions of ordinary Zimbabweans who continue to suffer at the hands of a dictator who, in setting his own countrymen against each other, has demonstrated that he cares only for power.

On the brink of losing everything, Mike and his family (wife Angela, daughter Laura and her husband Ben Freeth) stand united by their courage, their faith and their hope. Mike knows the personal risk to himself and his family that this case brings. Whatever the verdict by the court, this audacious and unprecedented stand may yet cost them their lives.

The evening was made very special – we were honoured to have Zac Freeth, the father of Ben Freeth present, to update us on the family’s situation, and to offer some insights into the worsening state of affairs in Zimbabwe.  A huge turnout was rewarded with a heartrending account of adversity being overcome by prayer and faith.  If you want to know more check out: http://www.mugabeandthewhiteafrican.com/  I was asked to give a short reflection and then end the evening with prayer.

Great stuff, and a great start to the Unite FC  pilgrimage in mission week.  I hope to blog each day, but that may depend on signal and internet access, but please stick with us!!

I’m very grateful to Sharon for acting as the guest editor  for last month’s parish magazine reviews.  I am always pleased to receive parish magazines, and always read them.  I try to pull out the innovative ideas from them, and wish to share the good news.  However, from time to time, it is good to get another’s perspective on the news. Thanks Sharon for a new pair of eyes on this aspect of our Area Life.

Benefice of St Bartholomew

Taking ‘fellowship’ to the max:  Benefice Autumn sailing trip. An epic journey to France crewed entirely by the benefice! Aboard the Morning Star 62ft Ketch ( a boat of elegant proportions by the sound of it!) take the opportunity to get to know your fellow travellers and a bit of French shopping to boot! Sounds an ideal way to follow in the footsteps of the first ‘fishers of men’ and share some special time together. No sleepwalkers though!

 If you fancy something more rooted and on terra firma……try TOAST (time on a Sunday together) a family friendly start to the day….breakfast at 9.30! Semley School Hall each month. What a great idea to gather the whole church and domestic family together, and then move into church – gets the gossip and prayer foci sorted before the service.

 Arrowhead….the parish mag for Chitterne Orcheston, Shrewton and Tilshead must take this months prize for maximum use of space. I never thought it possible to get so much into an A5 MAGAZINE …

60 pages of info, events, recipes, ideas and news! Not to mention congratulations to Karen who raised £1200 on a Skydive for the New Life project (Baby Survival Equipment)

 The Bridge..and speaking of congratulations…..Well done to Woodford Valley Choir for their Merit Certificates at The Salisbury Music Festival…complimented for their ‘excellent tone and intonation’!

 Focus (Tisbury Community) offer something different in aid of The Sudan and Salisbury Hospice……..a talk on Catherine the Great by Professor of History and Politics at Moscow University: Ludmilla Selezvena.  There’s some church and culture for you! 

St Thomas Ensbury Park

[I know this is out of Area, but Alan's roots  go deep!]  If you fancy a bit more history get hold of the parish mag for St Thomas…they have a page of ‘dates in history’ for each month. Fascinating and useful at those awkward silences in coffee mornings! So brush up your general  knowledge…..April 20^th Napoleon’s birthday. 1^st April 1918 formation of RAF! Also useful for those fundraising quizzes!

 Whiteparish

Date for your diary if you can make it…….All Saints Church Choir sing Evensong at Southwark Cathedral…..a proud moment for all.  What a fine achievement for the parish choir to get to sing in a prestigious setting.

If you don’t see your parish magazine listed, why not send it to me?

Like Alan I have had a varied week or so but didn’t take any photos.

It began last Monday (19th) when I joined with the Whitton Team to welcome Simon Weedon  in Holy Cross church Ramsbury and then this Monday (26th) I joined St  James Trowbridge and St Leonard’s Keevil in welcoming Rob Thomas. Both churches looked wonderful in their different ways and offered a welcome to all who attended. The music and singing were good and the food afterwards was very tasty. The services in both were similar except in two details – in Trowbridge we also welcomed Rob’s wife as LLM and the Bishop stayed in the church.

Let me explain the second difference. In both sermons Bishop David asked if the congregations were willing to go outside the church into the community, however in Holy Cross he decided that people needed time to think and so left us for a short period of time and then came back to hear the answer. In both churches the answer was ‘Yes’ – I am positive that the people of Whitton Team will remember Simon’s licensing for several years to come.

Between these two events I went to Rushall church on Sunday, it is a small church set amongst fields. I arrived and parked the car in the nearby field was a flock of sheep and,as with the other churches, found a  church community which was warm and welcoming. When I went into the vestry I looked out on another field with sheep in it – very Thomas Hardy-ish.

It is one of the joys of my work that I go to some many of the churches in this area and I thank those who looked after me, I for one enjoyed the experiences.