Dear Friends Firstly, Rob and I would like to thank all of you who have made us so welcome since arriving in King’s Somborne a few weeks ago. The licensing service on Tuesday was a joyous occasion and thank you so much for everyone who worked so hard to make it happen, both in the church and in the schoolroom. It is always challenging moving house, and yet we have been made so welcome by church members, by the pub and the shop, the coffee morning and cinema night that it feels like home already. We have several more venues in the village we have yet to visit, and look forward to exploring them over the coming weeks. We have eaten the best Victoria sponge we have ever tasted, made by Dulcie, we have been royally wined and dined and now it is time to start work…. One question I always pose to the children when I first visit a new school is … What does a Vicar do? I have had some very interesting answers over the years, too numerous to note here, but it seems to me my most important function is just to be. Be here when I am needed, and just to prayerfully be, when I am not. One of the most common misconceptions the children have, and indeed some adults as well, is that a Vicar is only here for churchgoers. Nothing could be further from the truth, we are here for everyone, of any faith or none. Just as God, in whatever form or shape he may take for us individually is here for all of us, so we as priests are here for anyone in our locality in need of a listening ear. John Vanier, a Swiss-born Roman Catholic social activist, theologian and philosopher said this ‘We are not called by God to do extraordinary things, but to do ordinary things with extraordinary love.’ This statement is enforced for me by some verses from 1 John 4 ‘Beloved, let us love one another, because love is from God; everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love. Beloved, since God loved us so much, we also ought to love one another.’ I hope to shape and frame my ministry here by those two phrases, but I do need your help as what Vicars don’t arrive with, is a crystal ball, so if you or a friend or neighbour needs help, please do let me know. Yours in Christ Anne.
The Reverend Anne NewportI was born in Woking in 1955. The day, as I understand it, was largely marked by my father receiving his first company car, a Morris 1000. I had an older brother Anthony, sadly no longer with us. At the age of five we moved to Chandler’s Ford for my father’s work, and spent a very happy childhood there. St Martin’s Church was a huge part of our lives where we worshipped but also attended Brownies, Guides, and Amateur theatricals, which both my brother and myself were heavily involved in. I attended Barton Peveril Grammar School in Eastleigh, where I completed my education. At 15 we moved as a family to Lockerley, just down the road from here.I trained to be a commercial accountant, working in industries throughout the South of England, and specialising in Companies in difficulties, which led to a very interesting and fulfilling career. Throughout this time I was a regular church attendee, but not involved in ministry.The ‘Emmeaus’ moment happened whilst I was living in Lyndhurst. My two daughters, Laura and Amy were independent and off to University and their travels. I clearly remember standing in my bedroom and saying ‘ok God, you can have me now.’ The rest, as they say, is history. I trained initially as a Lay Reader, and then was accepted for Ordination training and studied as STETS in Salisbury obtaining a degree in Applied Mission Theology. Whilst I was studying, I lived and worked in the Close in Salisbury as Bishop’s Liturgical Chaplain, Chauffeur and Butler to the Right Reverend David Stancliffe, and thus received a thorough grounding in liturgy, as well as the niceties of the formal dinner party!I served my Curacy in West Moors, and then spent a very happy seven years in Budleigh Salterton in East Devon as their Vicar. In July 2020 I was blessed to meet Rob, and we were married on 16th July 2022 in Hazelbury Plucknett Church in Somerset. Rob’s two sons, Tom and James live in Belgium and Australia. My two daughters, Laura and Amy are a little closer to home in Thornbury and Truro. We also have four lovely grandchildren, Charlie and Martha, William and Olivia, who I am sure you will meet from time to time.We feel so blessed to be given the opportunity to come and live and work in Kings Somborne, and we hope and pray that in our time here, Rob and I may contribute positively to this community. To me God is love is community, and that is my calling.
We want our church to be there to welcome and serve everyone but we need financial support to do this. Most of the costs of ministry are met by the giving of our church members. If you could give too, we would be very grateful. Our other income comes from the fundraising events we hold each year.
