NEW ELECTORAL ROLL 2025 – WESTBURY PARISHUnder the provisions of rule 2(4) of the Church Representative Rule NOTICE is hereby given of the preparation of a new Electoral Roll. All persons who wish to have their names entered on the new roll, whether their names are entered on the present roll or not, are required to apply for enrolment not later than the 19th April 2025. In order to be entitled to attend and vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (18th May 2025) the form of application for enrolment must be completed, signed and returned to Debbie McEntee by 19th April 2025. Forms are available in All Saints/Holy Saviour and from Debbie McEntee.Information from the Diocese of Salisbury on what the joining the electoral roll means:-What is the electoral roll? The electoral roll is a register of people who are able to elect other people in the church, a bit like being on the civic electoral roll allows you to vote in local and Parliamentary elections. Being on the church electoral roll means that you can vote on any relevant issues at the annual parochial church meeting and stand for election to the PCC (the church council). The Church is not a membership club! Although the electoral roll is the closest thing the Church of England has to ‘membership’, joining the electoral roll doesn’t commit you to anything. It does give you a voice in the future of the church in your community though. You don’t need to attend services or meetings, but if you care about your community and what the church offers it, it ensures your voice is heard. For example, you might be a member of a Friends group that supports and cares for the Church building, or part of a group looking after the churchyard, or maybe one of your family attends the church school. Signing up to the church’s electoral roll is simply a sign you care about the Church’s future in your community.Am I eligible to join? Yes, you are eligible if you are:- resident in the parish;- baptised;- over 16 years old,- and consider yourself part of the Church of England or a church in communion with it. - If you are not resident in the parish, you can still be on the electoral roll if you’ve attended worship (at least monthly) for over six months and also meet the other conditions.Count me in! How do I sign up? By completing the form – see link belowPlease send to our Electoral Roll Officer Debbie McEntee - WestburyPCCSecretary@Whtministry.org.ukWatch the video to find out more - https://youtu.be/FQrPvj3JWcc
At an event on the 15 February, members of the White Horse Team Ministry churches, along with others from churches in the community and surrounding areas, gathered to explore the topic of disability justice and church inclusion.We explored key themes in disability theology, looked at research data outcomes, shared practical suggestions for increasing accessibility and inclusion, received a fantastic time of sharing from Revd Neil Robinson (Chaplain to the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Salisbury Diocese) and joined in a time of inclusive worship.It was a wonderful day of sharing and learning together.Thank you so much to all of those who came along on a cold day to explore this important topic together. And a big thank you to those who helped with setting up, with the tech on the day, with welcoming, serving refreshments and with the running of the day. The support and hard work of the team involved is very much appreciated.If anyone would like to access the resources pack from the day this can be found at the link below:https://media.acny.uk/media/events/attachment/2025/01/5768d2a8-b63a-44ae-95c5-dfa1dfd84446.pdfIf you would like to view a recording of the whole day, or any part of the day, this can be found at this below link:https://www.youtube.com/live/uSDDiwlX8Do?si=X1LNqNZGVoMuMkAsFor a copy of the slides from the day please get in touch with me by email at:teamcurate@whtministry.org.ukWe are now in the process of getting together a Disability and Church Inclusion Committee group who can meet to discuss key issues, create reports and updates for the PCC, and ensure that key next steps are being actioned. If you would be interested in joining this group I would love to chat to you about this. Please do get in touch with me by phone or email if you would like to discuss getting involved.With many thanks,Rev Holly Newton
I am pleased to announce that following the interviews recently, we have appointed Sally L’Anson to be the new PA who will be working closely with me as administrative support. Sally comes with a wealth of experience, mostly in the public sector. She is currently clerk to two governing bodies of Church of England schools. Sally will be joining us on 10 March and will be working mainly from home for five hours a week. You may not see her very much, but please pray for a good start to this new role and that she will settle in well. Thank you.Rebecca
Out of the 80 million Easter eggs sold in the UK, The Real Easter Egg is the only one which has a copy of the Easter story in the box, is made of Fairtrade chocolate and which supports charitable projects.The stories range from simple guides to 24 page activity book versions. So, buy a 2025 edition Real Easter Egg this spring and encourage others to give one to their loved ones, a school or sponsor a food bank donation. They make a lovely gift for Easter and are a great way of sharing the true meaning of Easter with the children in your family, or you can donate them to the Food Bank. The 2025 Real Easter Egg will not be available in any supermarkets. I am taking orders again this year, so please contact me directly or place your order in church when you see me. The original milk chocolate Fairtrade egg is £5.50. A dark chocolate egg is £6.50 and there are also Easter Blessing bars at £3 each. There is also the Real Easter Egg Fun pack at £6 which contains six small milk chocolate eggs.Please place your order with me by Sunday 9 March so that we can get free delivery.Thanks v much.Rebecca
There will be a chance to receive face to face Safeguarding training at Christ Church, Warminster on Saturday 8th March, 9.30-12.30. This training will cover Basic and Foundation Levels.Anyone wishing to attend this training must please RSVP to Linda Smith on either 01985 212138 or admin@christchurchwarminster.co.uk by Monday 3rd March.If you are not sure what training you require please speak to your Parish Safeguarding OfficerWestbury - Jenny Wray-Bliss - WestburyPSO@whtministry.org.ukDilton Marsh - Yvette Cooper - DiltonPSO@whtministry.org.uk
We have now heard from Archdeacon Alan about the time-table for the appointment of the new Team Vicar. As we explained at the Team Focus day in January, the role will be made up of two parts: one will be the traditional Team Vicar role based in Dilton Marsh and with a licence to cover the whole of the White Horse Team. The other half will be a Pioneer role, reaching out to people and communities across our two parishes of Westbury and Dilton Marsh. We shall therefore be looking for someone who has had training in both traditional ministry and pioneer ministry. The Diocese is applying for funding from the Church Commissioners for the pioneer part of the role, as this is being made available for parishes where they are not able to support a full-time priest financially.The profile for the role should be ready in July. The post is planned to be advertised in the church press at the end of August and beginning of September.The shortlisting date is in October. The interview days are planned for 17 and 18 November. These dates have been agreed by the Bishop.If the person is in another role, they will have to give three months’ notice to their Bishop or employer before they will be able to take up the role.Please pray for the profile team as we meet to prepare the profile in the coming weeks.We have also been offered the opportunity to apply for additional funding for another part-time lay missional/pioneer role in the White Horse Team. We are being asked to discern what kind of role this may be: whether in reaching out to children, families, our schools, young people, the elderly, local community or something else. We are inviting people to think and pray about this and let us know if you have any suggestions about what kind of role this could be, and how we may support it. Please be in touch with myself or a member of the Ministry Team, your churchwarden or PCC member.We look forward to hearing from you.Thank you .Rebecca