1. Art and Diseño

CONTACT
The Newsletter of the Benefice of
St Michael and All Angels - Somerton
The Blessed Virgin Mary - Charlton Mackrell
St Peter and St Paul - Charlton Adam
All Saints - Kingsdon
FEBRUARY 2015 40p
From the Vicarage
Welcome to our new magazine for Somerton, the Charltons and Kingsdon. It brings together
the two separate magazines which we had before and means that we can all see what is
going on, Church-wise, in our area. There is quite a lot coming up at the moment with
Christingle services in aid of the Children’s Society at Somerton and Kingsdon, a renewal of
wedding vows on Valentine’s day, and of course all our normal Church activities. So life is
rather busy at the moment both for your clergy and I am sure for you. Several times now people have commented
about how fast this year seems to be going. I echo what is being said, there are still 24 hours in a day and 7 days in
a week but the weeks seem to be flying past at an incredible rate. That is a sign of busy-ness.
Yet also in February we mark the start of Lent and maybe that is the time when we can find a bit of space in our
lives to slow down and reflect on what is happening for us and to us. Jesus himself, though I am sure extremely
busy, modelled taking time out to be with his heavenly Father on a regular basis. It seems to have enabled him to
find a true balance between being active and giving to others, and being refreshed receiving for himself. He was not
reluctant to take that time out even when others thought he should be doing something else, he set his own priorities
and stuck to them. I think this can be an encouragement to us to consider our own priorities and needs and perhaps
this Lent start to give them more attention. Maybe we can, like Jesus, find a balance between time spent with our
heavenly Father and time spent about His business of loving and supporting others which will sustain us throughout
the busy years ahead.
With every blessing
CHRISTINGLE SERVICES
IN AID OF THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY
Sunday 1st February
11am in St Michael’s, Somerton
Sunday 8th February
All Saints, Kingsdon
A service for All ages, do come along and enjoy the Christingle while supporting
the work of the Children's Society.
The Children’s Society supports children with needs in this country.
Please submit material for March 2015
edition of CONTACT to reach us no later
than Sunday 15th February.
email: [email protected]
Printed by Direct Offset, Glastonbury,
01458 831417
Church Web Sites:
www.stmichaels-somerton.org.uk
www.achurchnearyou.com/charlton-mackrell-the-blessed-virgin-mary
www.achurchnearyou.com/charlton-adam-st-peter-st-paul
www.achurchnearyou.com/kingsdon-all-saints
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From the Editor - WHY CHANGE OF MAGAZINE NAME
As from this month the magazine now covers the entire Benefice. I felt it was therefore sensible to have a change
of name to reflect this. Also one of the chief aims of a church magazine is to communicate what is going on
within a parish or in our case the Benefice. I felt that the word CONTACT expressed this aim rather well as we
seek to communicate with each other within the Benefice through our magazine.
For the benefit of those in the Charltons and Kingsdon the price of the magazine is 40p and is produced each
month therefore the cost would be £4.80 per annum. For those paying for a year’s subscription you will pay the
discounted price of £4.00 per annum.
A magazine depends on receiving details of events so that they can be publicised and also by articles and other
items our church members are willing to contribute. I look forward to receiving items from the Charltons and
Kingsdon as well as from Somerton.
FAREWELL AND THANK YOU, WENDY
On the Sunday after Christmas, 28th December, in a packed St Mary's Church, Charlton Mackrell, we came from across
the benefice and beyond to say farewell and thank you to Revd. Wendy Griffith for the seven years she has ministered to
us.
Introducing the first hymn, Christ be our Light, by Bernadette Farrell, Wendy said: “I first heard it when I took a Women's
World Day of Prayer back in 2005 at Sixpenny Handley. The words struck a chord with me that goes quite deep and I feel
strongly that we need to pray these words every day, and especially now with so much suffering. At Midnight I preached
on the suffering in Syria and Dr David Nott's call for our parliament to engage with the humanitarian situation there, but
they don't seem interested. The suffering is greater than anything we can imagine or have heard. If interested go on-line
to Syria Relief then click on Dr. David Nott.
We have sung this hymn several times here in the Charltons and I would think anyone who attends the Women's World
Day of Prayer will be familiar with it. I have also requested that we finish with To God be the Glory – reasons obvious, I
feel.” After Alan had presented her with a cheque from the congregations, Wendy said she would be donating it all to
Syria Relief.
Thelma Hill's thoughtful and very appropriate prayers for ourselves and the world summed up our love and good wishes
for Wendy. The following is an extract from the end of Jenny Gollop's sermon, which as usual was peppered with humour
and truths: So, this morning, what do we, as individuals, like the shepherds and Mary, need to accept from God? Is it
something He wants to give that we hoped never to have been offered? I wonder how Joseph felt when he received the
news that Mary, his beloved Mary, was pregnant and how he felt not only towards Mary but towards God? Joseph
accepted Mary, surrendering to God, and of course, it involved sacrifice.
How did God feel towards us at Golgotha? And how does he feel towards us when we fail to accept His gifts, for He gives
us one another .…acceptance, surrender, sacrifice.
Wendy, we have accepted you, warts and all. Now do not tell me, after ministering together, that you have no warts
because I would simply say: what about the times I have been in trouble for phoning during The Archers? Or perhaps
even worse, during Strictly time? So, in accepting you, we have of course – being human – also judged you, and so I invite
four distinguished characters to come out now and give their verdicts ……'
(There followed 'judging' from the Strictly judges!)
'Wendy, I will miss our shared ministry and you have given us so much - we thank you. But it is typical of Wendy that she
would always want the glory pointed back to God and hence her choice of the last hymn, 'To God be the Glory'. For God
has given us so many gifts – laughter, the ability to accept, forgive, surrender, sacrifice and to love.
Let us, this New Year, give our God things to treasure in his heart from this benefice as, together, we will sing out, 'To
God be the glory'.
Thanks to Rowena Wallace for this article
WESSEX HOUSE FEBRUARY SERVICE
ADVANCE NOTICE
ST MICHAEL’S
ANNUAL PAROCHIAL CHURCH MEETING
Wednesday 29th April 2015 7pm in Church
Churches together Wessex House
Sunday afternoon services.
St. Michaels will be responsible for Feb. 1st at 2:30 pm.
Any support at that service will be much appreciated.
Esther Locke
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CONNECT @ St MICHAEL’S
on Sunday 8th February 2015
at 7.30pm
Renewal of wedding vows
Saturday 15th February 2014 at 6pm
ST MICHAEL’S, SOMERTON
Come and join our Monthly Cafe Style
Discussion Event
And bring your friends
Topic for this month:
ENERGY/FUEL POVERTY
--------------------------------------
FUTURE TOPICS
A chance to renew your wedding vows
No need to book and it need not be a special anniversary, simply bring your husband/wife along
to promise once more that you want to love and
cherish them
March - Child Abuse/Abuse in Nursing Homes
April - Pension Age 70!!
May - Abortion
June - NHS
The short service will be followed
by refreshments in Church
Make the ideal start for a romantic evening.
WEDNESDAY
18th February
SOMERTON
Thursday 12th February, 80 St Cleers Orchard
Wave of Prayer 2.30pm
Wednesday 18th February
at 10am in St Michael’s
Corporate Communion
Benefice Holy Communion
St Michael’s, Somerton
7.00pm
Chris Hopkins
CRAFT AND COFFEE
changes to
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION
From March onwards it will happen on the 4th Tuesday of every month,
except August and December.
It will provide and opportunity to drop into church from 10-12, have a coffee, chat to someone, bring their knitting or
what ever they want to do in church. It is up to those who come. We may have people drop in from time to time to show
us something different each month depending on diaries.
Trying to think of ideas for craft and coffee has been hard and I had thought of giving it up and handing it over to someone else to take on, but I didn’t think that would work. So I came up with the idea of once a month instead.
Louise
EASTER EVE CHOIR
As in previous years we are looking to have an Easter Choir to lead the singing at the
Benefice Easter Eve Service of Readings and hymns on Saturday 4th April at 6.30pm.
Rehearsals for this will be on Wednesdays evenings and Sunday afternoons on the following dates
Sundays 1st, 22nd and 29th March 3.00—4.30pm
Wednesdays 11th, 18th and 25th March 7.30 - 9.00pm
If you are willing to be part of this Easter Eve Choir please speak to James.
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REGULAR EVENTS IN CHARLTONS
EVENING PRAYER
GROUP
7.15pm - Tuesdays
Columba, Chessels Lane
BELL RINGING
PRACTICE
Thursdays 7.00pm
Adam or Mackrell Tower
Tower Captain Adam
Albert Winter 01458 223590
Tower Captain Mackrell
Pauline Whitaker 01458 223186
CHOIR PRACTICE
Fridays at 4.30pm
Charlton Adam
Church
CHARLTONS ROTAS
Date
Service
Flowers
Brass
Cleaning
1 February
9.30am Charlton Adam
Andrea de Berker
Mick and Mu
Kathy Train
8th February
8.00am Charlton Adam
9.30am Charlton Adam
Jenny Hamm
Jenny Hamm
Jenny Hamm
15th February
9.30 am Charlton Mackrell
Thelma Hill
Chris Bates
Margaret Hutchins
22nd February
8.00am Charlton Adam
9.30 am Charlton Adam
Thelma Hill
Chris Bates
Margaret Hutchins
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NEWS FROM THE CHARLTONS
KINGSDON ROTA
BRASS - Katie Campbell
FLOWERS - Jacky Ellis
KINGSDON VILLAGE HALL
BOOKINGS FOR FEBRUARY 2015
Short Mat Bowls
Mondays 7.30pm - 9pm,
Tuesdays 10am - 12noon
Table Tennis Club
Tuesdays at 7.30pm (not 10th)
Art Club Thursdays 10am - 12 (Term
time)
Yeovil District Canine Soc.
Wednesdays at 6.30pm
Private Function
Saturday 8th 1pm - 4pm
Ladies Club
Tuesday 10th 7pm
All the special services over Christmas were well attended. From
the ever popular Crib Service to the packed house in the
Reading Room for the Carol Service. Minced pies and mulled
wine and a chat at the end of this one was a lovely way to finish
it off.
The new notice boards – one for each church which Bill Train is
making are 2/3rds finished and we look forward to being able to
publicise church activities and contact details on them.
A fond farewell was said to Wendy at her last service on the 28th
Dec. The considerable sum of money donated by parishioners
was presented to her upon which she immediately told
everyone that she would be giving it to a Syrian children’s
charity. Typical of Wendy and maybe a lesson to us all.
We were very sad to hear of the sudden death of Peggy Crang in
early January. Peggy and her deceased husband and family have
been active members of Charlton Mackrell churches for many,
many years. She will be sadly missed and fondly remembered
by many. We were also sad to hear of the sudden death of
Amber, Roy and Audrey Cave's beloved Labrador dog. Her
snores during services and her eager searching for treats made
her well known to all!
Practical Study Group
Wednesday 18th 10am - 3pm
Here’s an alternative invitation for Lent
whether you give up something or not:
Give yourself more fully to Jesus
and the Kingdom of God.
Seniors Club
Wednesday 25nd 3pm
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Across
1 One who owes money, goods or services (Isaiah 24:2)(6)
4 ‘A good measure, pressed down, _ together and running over’
(Luke 6:38)(6)
7 Continuous dull pain (Proverbs 14:13)(4)
8 This bread contains yeast (Amos 4:5)(8)
9 ‘But take heart! I have _ the world’ (John 16:33)(8)
13 And the rest (abbrev)(3)
16 What Paul was accused of by Tertullus, the high priest's lawyer, in
his trial before Felix (Acts 24:5)(13)
17 Rap (anag)(3)
19 Founder of the Jesuits in 1534 ((8)
24 ‘For where your _ is, there your heart will be also’ (Luke 12:34)(8)
25 The first word written on the wall during King Belshazzar's great
banquet (Daniel 5:25)(4)
26 ‘We all, like sheep, have gone _ ‘ (Isaiah 53:6)(6)
27 One was given in honour of Jesus in Bethany (John 12:2)(6)
Down
1 ‘The blind receive sight, the lame walk, the _ hear,
the dead are raised’ (Luke 7:22)(4)
2 Conduct (Colossians 1:21)(9)
3 In the Catholic and Orthodox traditions, the body of
a saint or his belongings, venerated as holy (5)
4 ‘Like a _ of locusts men pounce on it’
(Isaiah 33:4)(5)
5 Very old (Genesis 44:20)(4)
6 In Calvinist theology, one who is predestined by
God to receive salvation (5)
10 How Nicodemus addressed Jesus when he visited
him one night (John 3:2)(5)
11 Sea (Psalm 148:7)(5)
12 ‘I will _ you, my God the King. I will praise your
name for ever and ever’ (Psalm 145:1)(5)
13 One of the groups of philosophers that Paul met in
Athens, who disagreed with his teaching about the
resurrection (Acts 17:18)(9)
14 Barred enclosure (Ezekiel 19:9(4)
15 ‘Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in _ with
the Spirit’ (Galatians 5:25)(4)
18 Cares (anag)(5)
20 Garish (Ezekiel 16:16)(5)
21 ‘So God said to Noah, “I am going to put _ _ to all
people” (Genesis 6:13)(2,3)
22 Just (“ Corinthians 6:13)(4)
23 ‘The _ of the Lord is the beginning of
knowledge’ (Proverbs 1:7)(4)
ANSWERS TO CROSSWORD 29
Across
8, Transgressors. 9, Out, 10, Ephesians. 11, Throb.
13, Ramadan, 16, Nearest. 19, Neath. 22, Childless.
24, Ant. 25, Excommunicate.
Down
1, Utmost. 2, Easter. 3, Assemble. 4, Archer. 5, Isis.
6, To hand, 7, As a son. 12, Hoe. 14, Monastic.
15, Apt. 16, Nuclei. 17, A piece. 18, Tied up.
20. Ararat. 21, Hatred. 23, Dome.
CAUSE FOR CELEBRATION
Mrs Evelyn Buckland, resident of Charlton Mackrell & formerly Charlton Adam, is receiving a British
Citizens Award on Jan 29th 2015 .This is for services to the community. primarily for playing the organ.
She has done so over a period of seventy years as organist in the Charlton's’ churches on Sundays, but
also helping in other parishes and at numerous christenings, weddings and funerals plus weekday
occasional school services. In order to celebrate with Evelyn, there will be a special service of thanksgiving at St Mary’s
Church, Charlton Mackrell on Sunday 12th April at 11.00 a.m followed by lunch – venue to be announced in the April
edition of CONTACT. Everyone is cordially invited to both of these events but could you please let either Margaret
Hutchins ( 224099 ) or Jenny Gollop (223516) know by the end of Feb latest if you are intending to come to the lunch .
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IN FOCUS
Archbishops propose programme
of reform and renewal
A TRANCHE of new reports have been
issued recently with the aim of turning
around the Church of England's slow
decline.
The Archbishops emphasise the
urgency of the task, the Church's
numerical decline, and the ageing of its
congregations and clergy, and called for
a "major programme of renewal and
reform". This reform includes an
overhaul of funding, to seek to ensure
that it reflects "a bias to the poor and a
commitment to spiritual and numerical
growth" The reports are available on
the Church of England website,
together with dedicated forums for
individual responses.
They will be discussed in the General
Synod when it meets in February, and
then in more detail when the Synod
meets in York in July.
Cross-party campaign encourages
Christians to vote
THE Christian vote in the General
Election could be decisive, leaders of a
new campaign have said.
Speaking before the launch of Show Up,
a cross-party movement that seeks to
encourage Christians to get involved in
politics, Mark Scott, from the umbrella
group Christians in Politics, said that the
election in May was the most
unpredictable in recent years.
"If Christians do get out and vote, they
could genuinely have a profound
impact," he said on Tuesday. Christians
on the Left, the Conservative Christian
Fellowship, and the Liberal Democrat
Christian Forum have all backed the
Show Up campaign
Bishop speaks out against
'inhumane' detention
THE Bishop of Croydon, is backing a
campaign by Citizens UK to end the
indefinite detention of migrants.
2015 LENT ECUMENICAL STUDY GROUPS
We are used to singing hymns of praise when we go to church but often we
miss the hymns and poems that are there in the New Testament. This course
will explore five different Songs of Praise from the New Testament, looking at
what they tell us about God and Jesus but also reflecting on what they tell us
about us and our faith.
This ecumenical course in five sessions has been written by Dr Paula Gooder
and the participants on the course CD are Archbishop Justin Welby, Sister
Wendy Beckett and actor David Suchet CBE. Methodist Moira Sleight provides
the Closing Reflection at the end of each session.
MORE DETAILS OF DATES, HOSTS AND LEADERS WILL APPEAR IN WEEKLY NOTICES
" Joan Purse”
SOMERSET CHURCHES TRUST
Following our sad loss, Jacky, Rodger and all the family
would like to thank everyone for all the cards,
messages and expressions of sympathy we have
received, but above all Thank You for all of your
prayers that have surrounded us. We have certainly felt
God's love supporting and uplifting us during these
last few difficult months.
Thank you also to Alan and everyone who helped to
make the Thanksgiving Service special for all the
family. We feel blessed to be surrounded by such a
wonderful and caring church family. Thank you."
In September Rowena Wallace, Monica Nicholls
and Michael Green took part in a sponsored cycle
ride in aid of Somerset Churches Trust. A part of
the money raised by these three people from
members of St Michael's and other friends and
relatives is donated by the Trust to St Michael's
and we have now received £313 for church
funds. Our thanks to all sponsors.
Thanks
Jacky.
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WHO’S WHO IN THE BENEFICE
Priest in Charge
The Revd Alan Symonds, The Vicarage,Sutton Road
Tel: 01458 272029 (Day off Thursday)
(Emergencies only on Thursdays please)
Curate:
The Revd Chris Hopkins
Tel: 01458 448250
Reader
Jenny Gollop
Tel: 01458 223516
Rodger Calderwood
Alan Hilborne
Mrs Sue Cooper
Mr Chris Gollop
Mrs Dot Squire
Brian Wellstead
Mrs Bel Allan
Tel: 01458 270132
Tel: 01458 273178
Tel: 01458 223219
Tel: 01458 223516
Tel: 01458 224260
Tel: 01458 223583
Tel: 01935 840878
Chair - Revd Alan Symonds
Deputy Chair - Rodger Calderwood
Secretary - David Speed
Treasurer - Michael Green
Lay Chair - Mrs Liz Bale
Secretary - Mrs Andrea de Berker
Treasurer - Andrew Goldsworthy/Stacey Goldsworthy
Lay Chair - Nick Allen
Secretary - Nick Allen
Treasurer - Alan Carnall
Tel: 01458 272029
Tel: 01458 270132
Tel: 01458 272907
Tel: 01458 272429
Tel: 01458 223164
Tel: 01458 223227
Tel: 01458 223893
Tel: 01935 840878
Tel: 01935 840878
Tel: 01935 840692
Jacky Calderwood
Tel: 01458 272029
Church Wardens
Somerton
Charltons
Kingsdon
PCCs
Somerton
Charltons
Kingsdon
Parish Assistant
Located in the Benefice Office, The Vicarage, Sutton Road
Wednesday, Thursday mornings and Friday
Director of Music,
Somerton, CONTACT
Editor and Webmaster
James Turner
Charltons Organist
Mrs Evelyn Buckland and Rota
CONTACT distribution
Jan Turner
Tel: 01458 270096
(email to [email protected] or
leave items on the notice board on the south wall of the Church)
Tel: 01458 270096
From the Registers
Baptisms
23rd November - Verity Hitchenor - Charltons
A PRAYER FOR LENT
Loving Redeemer through
your passion, teach me self
denial, strengthen me
against evil and adversity and so make
me ready to celebrate your
Resurrection. Amen.
Funerals
1st December 2014 Keith Blake aged 76 - Charltons
19th December 2014 - John Southgate aged 88 - Kingsdon
9th January 2015 - Kath Hill aged 82 - Somerton
10th January 2015 - Joan Purse aged 87 - Somerton
12th January 2015 - Gordon Martin aged 87 - Kingsdon
14th January 2015 - Cynthia Richards aged 75 - Somerton
20th January 2015 - Peggy Crang aged 92 - Charltons
21st January 2015 - Stan Lea aged 86 - Somerton
21st January 2015 - Daniel De Beaujou aged 77 - Somerton
Burial of ashes
23rd January 2015 - Christine Anderson aged 87 - Somerton
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Other Services
Laburnum Drive
Monday 9th February
Communion 2.30pm
Parsonage Close
Monday 16th February
Communion 10am
Wessex House
Friday 27th February
Communion 10:30 am
THE BENEFICE
ROCK ACTIVITY CHURCH
for children up to 11 year old
Sundays - 1st Feb meet to go to Christingle Service
and our regular session on 8th Feb
10:30am till 12 noon at the Wessex Rooms.
More info: Chris Thomas 224027 or
Sandy Symonds 272029
FRIDAY MONTHLY MATTINS
ST MICHAEL’S - SOMERTON
10.00am
Friday 20th February - Alan Symonds
Wednesday’s @ St Michael’s
10am Holy Communion
4th February - Alan Symonds
11th February - Adrian Hopwood
18th February - Alan Symonds
25th February - Chris Hopkins
Benefice Sunday Services
Sunday
Somerton
1st February
Candlemas
Sunday
8.00am
Holy Communion
Adrian Hopwood
11.00am Christingle
Chris Hopkins
Charlton Adam
9.30am
Chris Hopkins
Kingsdon
11.00am Holy Communion
Adrian Hopwood
Somerton
8.00am
Chris Hopkins
Holy Communion
Holy Communion (BCP)
8th February
11.00am Holy Communion
Alan Symonds/Jenny Gollop
2nd Sunday before
Lent
7.30pm
Connect @ St Michael’s
Chris Hopkins/James Turner
8.00am
Holy Communion (BCP)
Alan Symonds
9.30am
Holy Communion
Alan Symonds
Sunday
Charlton Adam
Kingsdon
11.00am Christingle
Chris Hopkins
Somerton
8.00am
Alan Symonds
Holy Communion
15th February
11.00am AM Praise and Teaching
Alan Symonds
Sunday next before Charlton Mackrell
Lent
Kingsdon
9.30am
Holy Communion
Chris Hopkins
11.00am Holy Communion
Chris Hopkins
6.00pm
Evensong
Alan Symonds
8.00am
Holy Communion
Adrian Hopwood
Sunday
Somerton
22nd February
11.00am Holy Communion
Adrian Hopwood/Chris Hopkins
1st Sunday of Lent
6.30pm
Healing Service
John Greed
8.00am
Holy Communion (BCP)
Alan Symonds
Charlton Adam
Sunday
9.30am
All Age Service
Chris Hopkins/Jenny Gollop
Kingsdon
9.30am
Holy Communion
Alan Symonds
Somerton
8.00am
Holy Communion
1st March
11.00am Café Service
Charlton Mackrell
9.30am
Kingsdon
11.00am Holy Communion
Healing Holy Communion
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