August 2010 Newsletter for the East Nadder Valley Benefice
Barford with Burcombe, Baverstock,
Compton Chamberlayne, Dinton, Teffont Evias and Teffont Magna
CHURCH SERVICES August 2010
1st August 9th Sunday after Trinity
8.00 a.m. Holy Communion BCP Dinton
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Trad Compton
11.15 a.m. Family Service Teffont Evias
11.15 a.m. Family Communion Barford
5.00 p.m. Evensong Choral Chilmark
7th August Marriage: Christopher Squires & Emma Ellesley – 1.30pm Dinton
Marriage: Michael Audus & Rigmor Haarr – 3.30 pm Teffont Evias
8th August 10th Sunday after Trinity
9.30 a.m. Morning Worship Barford
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Teffont Magna
11.15 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Dinton
11.15 a.m. Matins Chilmark
11th August 6.00 p.m. Compline Baverstock Compline Baverstock
13th August Wedding blessing:Daniel Swatton & Dawn Stretch 12.30pm Teffont Ev
15th August The Blessed Virgin Mary
8.00 a.m. Holy Communion B.C.P. Barford
9.30 a.m. Family Communion Teffont Evias
11.15 a.m. Holy Communion BCP Dinton
11.15 a.m. Matins Compton
11.15 a.m. Family Communion Chilmark
22nd August 12th Sunday after Trinity
8.00 a.m. Holy Communion B.C.P. Baverstock
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Barford
11.15 a.m. Morning Prayer Dinton
11.15 a.m. Matins Chilmark
6.00 p.m. Evensong Teffont Magna
28th August Marriage: Christopher Laflin and Charlotte Bishop 1.00 p.m. Dinton
29th August 13th Sunday after Trinity
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Teffont Evias
5th September 14th Sunday after Trinity
8.00 a.m. Holy Communion BCP Dinton
9.30 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Trad Compton
11.15 a.m. Family Service Teffont Evias
11.15 a.m. Family Communion Barford
11.15 a.m. Holy Communion Order 1 Trad Chilmark
Evening Prayer will be said every Tuesday in Barford Church at 6.30 p.m. Morning Prayer is said in Dinton Church on Thursdays at 7.45 a.m., followed by Holy Communion at 8.00 a.m. Why not step aside from the “busy–ness” of the week and join us if you can?
Together with our LPAs, I would very much like to hear of anyone who is ill, unable to come to church or who would simply appreciate a visit. Do let me know so that I can make contact with them. I am happy to take Holy Communion to the house-bound. Revd Jane Tailby
August 2010 Newsletter for Barford with Burcombe, Baverstock,
Compton Chamberlayne, Dinton, Teffont Evias and Teffont Magna
Team Rector: The Reverend John Eade – Tel: 01722-714826
Team Vicar: The Reverend Jane Tailby – The Vicarage, Tyndale's Meadow, Dinton, SP3 5HU. Tel: 01722-717883. E-mail: jdtailby@aol.com
Churchwardens:
Barford – Bruce Dunton 744800 & Pam Clements 741422.
Baverstock – Peter Combes 716495.
Chilmark – Jane Middleton 716231 & Stephanie Lucas 716463
Compton Chamberlayne - John Newman 714812.
Dinton – Gordon Heath 716708 & Clive Upton 716237
Teffont Evias – Don Ridley 716548.
Teffont Magna – Richard Willan 716878
LISTENING
In my last letter I wrote about those who, in many ways, fulfil God’s ministry in our Nadder Valley churches by caring for our church communities, making our worship possible and maintaining our lovely church buildings. However, when I re-read that article, I realised that I had missed out one group of people who enhance and enrich our worship in a very special way, and now I have a chance to make up for that omission. I write, of course, of our musicians - our organists and our choirs, and I can’t imagine how I managed to miss them! So let me begin this piece by thanking all those who contribute to our music making in church.
For many, music adds so much to worship and they find that it helps them to focus on God and brings them closer to him. Whether it is singing a rousing, well-known hymn with great gusto, sharing in a gentle Taizé chant or listening to a choir anthem, music can lead us nearer to God; there is a sense that music is a way into the heart of God. I know that that is true for me. Music can still me and help me listen to God, it can lift my heart in praise or it can touch my sorrow and remind me that God is there. It is indeed one of God’s many gifts to us that he has provided so that we can find our way to him in prayer and praise.
There is a wonderful passage in one of C.S. Lewis’s marvellous Narnia books, The Magician’s Nephew, in which Aslan, the lion, the Christ-type character in the books, sings the world into creation – the Word did not speak, but sing. It is a stirring reminder of the power that music can have.
Of course, music isn’t the only way that we have that can open our hearts to God. Some find the stillness and quiet of an early morning said service a good way to focus on God and his presence; music isn’t always for everyone. In my last parish, the husband of one our choir members only came to said services. Not, I hasten to add because of the quality of the choir’s singing, which was excellent, but simply because music wasn’t for him and he found he could draw closer to God in other ways. That is surely one of the joys of creation and human life – that we are all different! God knows us even better than we know ourselves and offers us many ways of lifting our hearts to him.
The important thing, surely, is that we recognise some of these ways and take advantage of them. Perhaps it is in the words of a well-known prayer that has always meant something special, kneeling at the altar rail and receiving the bread and wine of Holy Communion or recognising God in those around us as we share the Peace.
Of course, we don’t just find our hearts lifted to God in corporate worship. It is wonderful to enjoy the stillness and peace of an empty church, a place where prayer has been offered through the centuries and where the veil between heaven and earth seems very thin. Be still and know that I am God, indeed! Or perhaps we find God speaking to us in the beauties of his creation as we marvel at a glorious sunrise or the vastness of a starry night. The worship of God isn’t confined to a church building!
But God can only use these things if our eyes are open and our hearts are listening. Yes, sometimes he breaks through our lack of openness in a dramatic way, but how much more do we miss by rushing about our daily life without time to “stand and stare”? Perhaps, this summer we can try to attune ourselves at little more to God; to open our hearts, minds, ears and eyes to the wonders of his grace. As the psalmist says in Psalm 95, “O that today you would listen to his voice.” God speaks in many ways; we just need to be listening!
The Prayer Group will meet on Monday 2nd August and 6th September. All are welcome at the Vicarage at 7-8 p.m. for a time of quiet prayer and reflection.
Women Who Lunch will meet again in September. Please contact Dr. Ruth Eade (01722 714826) for details.
Alpha Course - Help our churches to thrive and invite someone you know.
We will be starting an Alpha course in Barford this September specifically designed to appeal to those who do not regularly attend church. The course is free and will be casual and informal, the discussion will be open, honest, down to earth and hopefully lively and fun. It's a modern, multimedia way of fully connecting people with the Body of Christ. All parishes welcome
Please email nadder.churches@btconnect.com for further information and for invitational literature and leaflets. You are most welcome to call me, Bruce Dunton on 01722 744800 if you would like any information or advice.
'Messy Church' has a place for you! In the autumn we will be starting a new, activity-based afternoon for children and their families. We will need help of all descriptions: welcoming, organising crafts, talking with people, catering. If you think you would like to be involved in any way, please contact Rev. Jane (717883). Our first planning meeting is on Sept. 7th, 7.30 p.m.
BARFORD WITH BURCOMBE
Christian Aid Week in May raised £174 from collections in Barford and Burcombe. The money raised by all the villages in the Team amounted to £4070-51. Gift Aid will enhance the total. Well done all givers and collectors.
Saturday 11th September. The Wiltshire Historic Churches Trust Sponsored Bike Ride and Stride takes place. For more details and sponsor forms please contact Georgina Cridge Tel: 742597. Half the money raised goes back to the church of your choice, the rest to the Trust, which gives grants to restore and maintain the historic fabric of our churches here in Wiltshire. Prizes are awarded to those who raise the most money or visit the most churches either by bike or walking.
Saturday 26th June. Barford church fete at Barford Lodge. Once more a great success, with many non-churchgoers helping out on the stalls. Attendance was significantly lower than last year, which may have been due to competing events in Wilton, Wimbledon, soccer World Cup, and folk taking a holiday before the Summer school break. Many thanks are due to Sam and Bruce Dunton for the use of their property and their hard work both in organising and participating. The final figure is still uncertain but should be about £1,400 for church funds.
BAVERSTOCK
The Compline service will be on Wednesday 11th August at 6 p.m. All are welcome to share this time of stillness and prayer.
DINTON
The hard work of the organiser, David Richards, 8 owners of gardens, producers of cakes and the serving of teas team enabled the Friends of St Mary's to bank £1,005:35p following the Open Gardens Day on the 27 June. Our thanks to George Cruddas for the use of the Old School Room along with the supply of water and electricity and also to 'Cottrells' for contributing through the 'Courtyard Sale'. Well done everyone! Thank you all who supported us by their presence.
15th August. To help celebrate our Patronal Festival we shall be holding a barbeque in the Church Yard after the morning service. We would hope to start serving at about 12.30. Bring along your picnic chairs and blankets, beer and wine. If it rains we can eat in the Church! Cost £2 per person. To give the cooks an idea of the number to cater for, would you please contact Clive Upton (Churchwarden) 716237 by Friday 13 Aug. Note! You do not have to come to Church to join us for the BBQ.
3rd October. Date for the diary. St Mary's PCC have organised a Harvest Lunch for that Saturday in Dinton Village Hall at 12.30 for 1pm. Cost £10 per adult and £5 for a child (under 14). There will be future flyers and reminders.
TEFFONT
The wedding of Michael Webb and Abigail Dyer took place on 10 July in Teffont Evias. A happy occasion which was blessed with a glorious summer's day.
Our annual Village Show took place on 17 July. It was a very successful 'Fun Day' for everyone concerned and concluded in the evening with an equally successful Hog Roast and dance.
Material for the September 2010 edition should reach Tony Turner, Mountain Ash, Duck Lane Barford. email ttducklane@btinternet.com by Sunday 22nd August.