News and Information

URGENT HELP NEEDED

If you can, please donate. If you are interested or can help, please contact: foodshareadmin@milborneportchurches.org.uk.

The help provided by the project has been described by people coming to Church House as ‘vital’, a ‘lifeline’ and ‘making all the difference’. The items donated by the congregation really do help project volunteers to help local people who face real challenges with day to day living. Could we please ask for your continued support and particularly at this time, could we request specific items so that what remains in our funds will go a bit further and for longer?

If you prefer to donate financially, even small amount, please contact Elaine Ennis Bunt - foodshareadmin@milborneportchurches.org.uk or contact Jacquie Hall 07740 862 823.

The following items would be most gratefully received: -

Tea bags, Sugar, Packet soups and tinned soups, Baked beans, Sardines, Tuna, Wholewheat pasta shapes, Rice or microwave packet rice, Tinned fruit, Coffee, Shower gel

THANK YOU! Foodshare is really helping to make a difference to local families who are struggling. 

The Diocesan Mission and Pastoral Committee is considering making recommendations to the Bishop under the Mission and Pastoral Measure 2011 which will affect the benefice of Milborne Port with Goathill and Charlton Horethorne with Stowell in Bruton and Cary deanery.

On Sunday 7th July St Peter’s, Goathill took the first step towards achieving an EcoChurch Bronze Award with an A Rocha UK Project. A Conservation Officer from the Dorset Wildlife Trust visited the church and provided a brief on Nature Conservation in Churchyards. The information and guidance provided will enable St Peter’s to develop a management plan detailing how best to improve the biodiversity of the churchyard. We are at the start of an interesting journey that will help us gain a better understanding of nature around us. Updates on our progress will be posted in due course. 

In the Church of England, it is customary for all stipendiary clergy to be invited to take a three-month sabbatical every decade.

As Rona is well overdue that, the Bishop has recommended that she takes hers sooner rather than later, and particularly before the busyness of Christmas descends.

Therefore, she will be taking 1st September until the 30th November 2024 as a sabbatical time for rest, refreshment and reflection. There is also a project element of the sabbatical, and Rona will be exploring issues around Spirituality.

Although she will be based mainly in the Rectory, she will not be involved in any parish work during this time. Please direct any queries or emails to one of the Churchwardens, or the Parish Administrator.

Many thanks for your support and understanding during this season.

For the Fete on July 20th the Events Committee would be really grateful for donations of books, plants, bottles and other items for stalls.

Cakes can be left on the back pews in church from 11.30 on the day. Call Christine on 01963 250821 with any questions.

New toiletries and gifts – call Sue on 01963 250503.

Any other queries, to offer help on the day or to request your own stall – call Anne on 01963 250529

Thank you to everyone who helped to make the lunch a huge success.  So many generous people gave both of their time and donations of food and raffle prizes.  Also to all who came and enjoyed eating the delicious food.  £730 was raised, which has been given to the Sherborne branch of Marie Curie.                        

Susan Wales

You may have noticed the addition of a 3rd Saturday service within St John’s list of services, and on the Pew News. It is probably worth explaining a little about this service, because it's important for you to know that this service is FOR YOU!

 We decided to introduce a regular service on a Saturday to offer a slot for people to come and celebrate, or give thanks for any events or occasions have brought them joy. This is a time when you can request a Baptism - including an Adult Baptism, perhaps the blessing of a marriage on a special wedding anniversary, for praying thanks and God's blessing on Civil Partnerships or Civil Marriages, or maybe an organisation or business has reached a milestone that the community are grateful for. 

All of these are valid and life-enhancing moments of celebration within our communities across this Benefice, and there wasn't a regular slot where this could be included. 

As a group of Churches within this beautiful part of the countryside we want to do all we can to share the relevance of God's love and the life giving nature of faith. Please do get in touch with Rev Rona or the Leadership Team if you would like to arrange a celebration.

We made an amazing £682.03!!

Thank you to everybody who contributed to this magnificent amount. We truly appreciate your support.

For photos of the Duck Race see Goathill Duck Race 2024.

Also grateful thanks to everyone who supported the Ukulele Cream Teas on Sunday 19th May. This was another successful event which raised £368.60.

Deeply Appreciated!. St Peter’s Church Goathill.

St Peter’s Church, Goathill                                                      

Anyone who is on the parish church’s electoral roll and living in the Diocese of Bath and Wells (or Cathedral Community Roll) is eligible to apply for a Wells Cathedral Parish Pass which provides free admission to the Cathedral for the duration of the current church electoral roll period. Each parishioner needs to apply for an individual pass — If you are applying for more than one parishioner, you will need to provide proof of address for each named individual.

How to Apply

If you would like to apply for a Parish Pass, please complete the Application for a Wells Cathedral Parish Card with your churchwarden. Take the completed form to the Welcome Desk in Wells Cathedral between 9am and 4.30pm (11am to 3pm Sundays) in order to collect your pass. Forms are also available at the Cathedral’s Welcome Desk.

Bishop Michael has shared his thoughts on how we can move forward together to achieve our aim of growing church and transforming communities.

He says, “Since my arrival, it has been a privilege to see our vision lived out by our people in our parishes, schools and chaplaincies. The many conversations I have had as I have visited all parts of our diocese have helped to clarify our aim as a church in Bath and Wells – and that is to be a growing church, one that is transforming our communities.”

As well as sharing his thoughts on the vision and the challenges we face, the Living and Telling the Story of Jesus document also includes some of the inspiring stories Bishop Michael has heard.

Download from the Bath and Wells website or read online

Do you have old candles at home that are a bit sad  and neglected?

They could be put to a far better use helping to give light, warming up food, bringing a little hope in the darkness. Church candles, household candles, scented candles, nearly  used up candles… any candles will do.

Swindon Humanitarian Aid Partnership
(https://www.shapuk.org/) are collecting candles for Ukraine. They can be melted down to help with a whole range of things e.g. trench candles.

There are collection points in Milborne Port and Charlton Horethorne Churches as well as the Parish office in Church House.

Cut off date is May 1st 2024.

If you need to know more contact Helen Solomon in the Parish office on 01963 250248/milborneportchurch@gmail.com

During April 2024 St John’s will be supporting Parkinson’s UK. They provide information and support, and fund research to find new and better treatments for people living with Parkinsons. Please see https://www.parkinsons.org.uk.

DUE TO ADVERSE WEATHER THE MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE AT STOWELL HAS BEEN CANCELLED.

A sculpture which aims to raise awareness of the negative effects of violence and aggression will be in Somerset next month as part of a nationwide tour.

The Knife Angel stands at 27 ft tall, weighs 3.5 tonnes, and was designed by artist, Alfie Bradley at the British Ironwork Centre using 100,000 knives and blades retrieved from amnesty bins from across all 43 UK police forces.

The month-long placement outside the Market House in Taunton is being supported by Somerset anti-violence campaigner Adam Fouracre, who is the CEO of charity Stand Against Violence, and the Barnaby Webber Foundation.

A short civic ceremony will be held at the site on Wednesday 3 April at 1pm, when Emma Webber – mother of 19-year-old Barnaby, who tragically died after a knife attack in Nottingham – will speak to officially unveil the Knife Angel. Taunton Minster will be open for those who wish to say a prayer or to to spend a time of quiet contemplation.

Read more about the Knife Angel in Taunton.

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Acts 435 puts people who want to help in touch with people who are in need, through a network of churches and local charities. Acts 435 enables virtual, online giving for specific needs. https://www.acts435.org.uk/