ST. MARK’S NOTES FOR OCTOBER 2025

We celebrated a very special occasion on 24th August, when Luna and Arwen were Baptised. This was the first baptism at St Mark’s for 4 years. Luna and Arwen were formally welcomed to St Mark’s at the Celebration! Service on 31st August. This service is less formal, and particularly suitable for families.

On Saturday 13th September a group of us took part in the Annual Ride and Stride walking from St Mark’s to Corfe, via Langton, Worth and Kingston – a distance of 8 miles. We stopped at all the Churches, and one or two also stopped at the Square and Compass. Money raised will be shared between Dorset Historic Churches Trust and the local Team. Thanks to Carol Richards and Anne Roper for organising the walk.

Re-tyred, not retired. As I write this in mid-September, I’m looking forward to a special event on Tuesday 30th September when Bishop Karen will License me as Associate Priest, and will welcome Carol Richards and Jane Hawksworth, from St Nicholas Studland, as Licensed Lay Ministers. Why licences after working at St Mark’s for 3 years? The simple answer is that Dave’s Licence reflects the work he does within St Mark’s and the Team. Carol’s ministry was limited, because she did not transfer her LLM licence from Chelmsford Diocese to Salisbury Diocese when we moved, partly because our future plans were uncertain. Now, it seems, Swanage is our permanent home, so rather than retire gracefully, we are re-tyred for the journey ahead.

Following up our spring Teddy Bear’s Picnic, Bella, the St Mark’s Teddy Bear, invites children aged 2-6 (and their teddy bears) to Farmer Teddy’s Harvest Picnic on October 12th. There will be games, songs, craft activities and a picnic with a Harvest theme. Children also need to bring at least 1 grown-up. Please spread the word.

St Mark’s Harvest Celebration will be on Sunday 19th October. We will start the service at 11am and follow with a Bring-and-Share Lunch. This late date allows us to co-ordinate with St Mark’s School Harvest, so the children can enjoy the amazing Harvest decorations in the church. All gifts from the church and school will be donated to Swanage Food Bank.

There are some changes at St Mark’s School. We welcome Mrs. Astle as the new Head, Miss Howe as the new Deputy (both shared with St George’s Langton), and congratulate Ms. Le Roux on her promotion to Assistant Head. We also welcome Cheryl Sutton, from St Mary’s, and Bridget Leary, from St Mark’s, as new foundation Governors. Please pray for staff, pupils and governors at the school, that the new arrangements will work well.

As we move towards autumn, we give thanks for a great summer, and look forward to God’s continued blessing.

Rev. David Richards