The Benefice of St. Bartholomew

World Day of Prayer Service - 1st March 2019

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Written by The Rev'd June Lane

This year's World Day of Prayer service in the Benefice will be held on

Friday 1st March 2019 at 2.30 pm
in St Mary's Church, East Knoyle

Every year, women from all around the world gather for prayer in a Service devised buy a different country each time. This year, the Christian women of Slovenia have created a service on the theme:

"Come - Everything is Ready!"

The global idea is to have prayer being offered for the whole of the 24 hours as the sun follows its path around the world. Let us be part of that wonderful circle.

Please do come and join us for about three quarters of an hour.

Click here to find out more about World Day of Prayer.

Ash Wednesday Services - 6th March 2019

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Written by Tony Gowers

To celebrate the beginning of Lent, two services will be held on Ash Wednesday (6th March 2019):

• A Benefice Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at St Catherine's Church, Sedgehill, at 10.00 am.
• A Benefice Eucharist with Imposition of Ashes at St Mary's Church, Donhead St Mary at 7.00 pm.

Please do come and join us at one or both of these services.

Call My Wine Bluff, Charlton - 9th March 2019

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Written by Michael Hockney

‘’CALL MY WINE BLUFF’’

Saturday 9th March 2019
New Remembrance Hall, Charlton, SP7 0PL
6.30 pm

Join us for St Andrew’s version of the iconic television show ‘Call My Bluff'. Instead of guessing the meaning of an obscure word, you are asked to guess what wine you are drinking.

We invite you to make up a table of six. Three white wines are served, one at a time, and three so-called experts try to persuade you what each wine is. You have to decide. Then the truth is revealed and teams get points if they are correct. After the supper interval the same happens with three red wines. If you can’t make up a table of six we can help.

Tickets:
£25 a head to include a glass of Prosecco and nibbles, three white and three red wines to taste, and a hot supper.
From: Alistair and Juliet, telephone 01747 828 789.

A knowledge of wine is absolutely not required and may even be a disadvantage!

From the Rector - February 2019

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Written by The Rev'd Richard Warhurst

Dear Friends,

By now I hope most of you will have read articles by, if not met, our new Curate Kevin Martin. I am delighted to welcome another colleague in the Gospel to our team and am equally pleased that Kevin, Liz and their family will move into Donhead St Andrew this month.

This month (almost) begins with the feast of Candlemas or The Presentation of The child Jesus in the Temple. It signifies the end of our Christmas and Epiphany celebrations and turning our focus towards the cross and resurrection of Lent and Easter.

The season of Epiphany is about explaining who and what this child Jesus is, whose birth we celebrate at Christmas. One of the first major themes is that this child that is born “king of the Jews” is actually for all people and is worshipped by magi from foreign lands. I have been thinking recently about the character of our rural churches and our villages and villagers. I think it is more evident in the countryside how important church buildings are to a community.

What a joy and blessing it is that we have people across the Benefice who are involved in the life of our churches. These are often people who are not themselves C of E. Some prominent examples would be The Rev’d John ‘the Baptist’ Passmore who leads services at St Catherine’s, Sedgehill on Christmas and Easter Day. At Donhead Saint Mary, Linda Franklin has been our lead flower arranger until their recent move, and at Semley, Sarah Howard is often seen helping with flowers - among other things; Fay Duthie helps at Messy Church - all three of whom are Roman Catholics. Across the Benefice there are many examples of members of other denominations and actually people who hold no faith who help with flowers, bells, cleaning and numerous other things. What a wonderful thing to rejoice in.

As I write this, we are coming to the end of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. One of the great pillars of the community once said to me that he joined the army at the wrong time in history because the empire was crumbling and that I had joined the Church at the wrong time because of its decline. There may be truth in that but God is always faithful. I give thanks every day that we no longer live in a time when denominations and their adherents mistrust and dislike each other. I give thanks every day that the support for the church from our rural communities is strong and genuine and full of good will.

Thank you.

Richard

Prayer Cycle and Prayer of the Month - February 2019

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Written by The Rev'd June Lane

The Prayer Cycle is always there for you. Requests and Thank you's to Julia (tel: 01747 829166), The Rev’d June (tel: 01747 828427), Theresa (tel: 101747 829188), or the Rev’d Richard (tel: 01747 830174).

There are two prayers this month - a familiar one we have used before at this time of year, and one which is new to us.

They both serve as a reminder that we need God's guidance and help.

O God, You have made us for Yourself,
and against Your longing there is no defence.
Mark us with Your love,
and release in us a passion for justice
in our digitised world;
that we may turn from our guild and face You,
our heart's desire.

by Janet Morley

 Heavenly Father,
We remember with gratitude,
The light of the star which drew them on;
those wise men, travelling with their gifts
for a fellow wise man, and a king.

We believe that light draws us on;
Draws us to Jesus, Light of the World,
Draws us to give ourselves.

And the Light that is Jesus,
also gives us light;
it shows us the way,
it shines before us to encourage us.

This is light; true light; the Light of the world;
the light that is a way of peace, hope, justice and forgiveness;
The Light that is Love in a darkened world;
and the way to God, Father of us all.   Amen