We are excited to announce that the parish has a new bespoke logo. Having a visual signifier for the parish will help to solidify the identity of our community, and represent the parish and its values to the wider world. The various elements of the design represent the parish in abstract form, and are inspired by a number of different images and symbols. These include:A cross, the central symbol of the Christian faith;The W and R of Wyke Regis;The hill which separates the two churches in the parish;The sun;The local coastline.How many can you spot? Do you see anything else hidden in the design?The logo is the product of many months of work in the parish office; the final design was approved at the most recent PCC meeting, and will be used in our printed material and feature prominently as part of our online presence going forward.
Over the last week the Parish of Wyke Regis has been celebrating Community Spirit!The aim of the week was to find values which united all our community whether church goers or not.The verses from Galatians 5.22-23, The Fruit of the Spirit, seemed to fit the bill as qualities such as patience, self-control, generosity etc are universally admired. We then proceeded to set up an exhibition and a series of events which showed how the church and community demonstrated these qualities.As well as displays from our own church groups there were stands from CAP, The Nest, MV Freedom, RNLI and others that we have supported recently.However, it was probably the events which will leave the greatest impression.The Launch Night with keynote speaker, Neil Biles, got things off to a fine start and was much appreciated by the audience which included the Mayor, Cllr Caroline Nickinson, several other councillors and all the exhibitors.As the week progressed we enjoyed an Art Workshop, Community Singing, a Choir Workshop and church tours.One of the greatest joys was the way we reached across the age groups with the highlight being a visit from the Primary School Choir! The enthusiasm and enjoyment of the young people was matched by the pleasure of the more elderly audience, who were delighted to be in such joyous company.As well as giving us a chance to celebrate what is successfulin the parish, it has highlighted some ways we can still increase Community Spirit and plans for development have already started.
Honouring Gary Hepburn: Recipient of the St Aldhelm CrossOn Sunday, during a special service at Salisbury Cathedral, the Bishop will present Gary Hepburn with the St Aldhelm Cross, a diocesan award recognising exceptional service and dedication to the life of the Church and the Diocese.The Cross of St Aldhelm was established in 2005 by Bishop David Stancliffe to mark the 1300th anniversary of St Aldhelm’s consecration as the first Bishop in this part of Wessex. It is awarded to a small number of Church members whose contributions to the Church’s mission and ministry go far beyond the regular call of duty.For more than 20 years, Gary has faithfully served our parish and the wider diocese, most recently as Church Warden, offering his time, skills, and steadfast commitment to the work and witness of the Church. His practical wisdom, steady leadership, and deep faith have been a source of strength and encouragement to clergy and congregation alike.Whether maintaining the fabric of the church building, supporting worship and pastoral ministry, or representing the parish in diocesan matters, Gary’s quiet dedication and servant-hearted approach have exemplified Christian discipleship in action.As he receives this well-deserved honour, we give thanks for Gary’s many years of service, his generous spirit, and his continuing witness among us.We join Bishops Stephen, Karen, and Andrew, and the whole Diocese of Salisbury, in congratulating Gary Hepburn and in celebrating his faithful and inspiring ministry within our parish family.
Why We’re Moving to A Church Near You, A Fresh Chapter for Our Parish OnlineHello friends, you may have noticed that our parish website is gently winding down, and I wanted to share the exciting reason why. We’re moving our online presence to A Church Near You, the Church of England’s official platform for parishes across the country. It’s a positive step forward, and here’s why we’re so pleased about it.A Welcoming Front DoorA Church Near You acts like a digital front porch, inviting, accessible, and easy to find. Whether someone’s new to the area, exploring faith, or simply curious about what’s happening in our churches, they’ll be able to find us quickly and clearly.One Parish, Many DoorsWe’ll have a central parish page that brings everything together, and each Church within the parish will also have its own dedicated site. That means we can share church-specific information, such as service times, events, and groups, while still showing the bigger picture of parish life.Easy to Use, Easy to UpdateThe platform is designed with simplicity in mind. That means we can keep our service times, events, and news up to date without needing a tech degree! It’s also mobile-friendly, so people can check what’s on from their phones while walking past the Church or planning their Sunday.Part of a Bigger StoryBy joining A Church Near You, we’re part of a wider network of parishes sharing the good news. It’s a way of saying: we’re here, we’re active, and we’re connected to the life of the Church across the country.Looking AheadWe’re excited about what’s possible. In time, we hope to include room booking, event registration, ticketing, and dedicated pages for ministry areas like pastoral care, children and families, and fellowship groups. It’s all about making it easier to connect, belong, and take part.Staying SocialThis move works beautifully alongside our Facebook and Instagram pages, so there’s always somewhere to find out what’s happening. Whether you prefer scrolling, clicking, or chatting in person, we’ll keep the welcome wide and the information flowing.Thank YouThank you to everyone who’s helped shape our website over the years. It’s been a faithful companion, and now we’re embracing a new chapter with joy and confidence. With love and blessings,Revd Ash.
At The Parish of Wyke Regis, we are proud to be part of the Inclusive Church network. But what does that really mean?Being an Inclusive Church means that everyone is welcome, regardless of age, ethnicity, gender identity, disability, neurodiversity, mental health, sexuality, background, or any other factor that might cause exclusion.We believe that the love of Christ is for all people, without exception.A place where you belong, just as you are.A community where differences are celebrated as part of God’s wonderful creation.A parish where we seek to listen, learn, and love, following the example of Jesus.We know that churches have not always been places of welcome for everyone, and we want to say clearly: Here, you are loved. Here, you are included. Here, you are home.
Despite the overcast skies, our trip aboard MV Freedom around Portland Harbour and Weymouth Bay was full of warmth and good cheer. The views were still beautiful, the sea air refreshing, and the company even better.The crew was terrific and shared stories about the area. We laughed and had a real sense of togetherness as we cruised the coastline. Huge thanks to the MV Freedom crew for their hospitality and care, and to everyone who joined us for making it such a memorable outing.A little grey weather couldn’t dampen our spirits; we’re already looking forward to next time!
