ST. MARK’S NOTES FOR NOVEMBER 2025

What a wonderful evening many of us had on 30 September! It was the service for the licensing of Rev Dave Richards and re-licensing of Carol Richards and Jane Hawksworth as Licensed Lay Ministers. It was good to have Bishop Karen with us and to welcome a good number of friends from the all the Team churches and churches from around the area. For us at St Mark's it was a great opportunity to mark this new stage in Dave and Carol's ministry among us and to give them a public thank you for all they do for us. I'm sure that the contingent from St Nicholas' feel the same about Jane. Bishop Karen reminded us of other recent occasions on which she had been in Swanage and she clearly enjoyed being here. Our musicians (choir, augmented by people from Studland and St Mary's and our band) did us proud as we sang the Vaughan Williams setting of "All People that on Earth do Dwell" and Amanda Jenson changed saxophones from one musical item to another and, at one point, gave us a burst of a familiar tune in 5/4 time. The whole event was topped off with excellent food and something to wash it down with. Thanks to all who came, all who helped with the organisation, the music and the food and every blessing to Dave, Carol and Jane in their continued ministry in Swanage and Studland.

Then we moved into October and the joyful events kept coming! Farmer Teddy's Harvest Picnic on the 12th was a worthy follow-up to our earlier picnic for the youngest age group and was enjoyed by all who came. We had the usual joyful Harvest Festival on the 19th, followed by a convivial bring and share lunch, collecting gifts in the service for Swanage Food Bank and finally the Sunday on which we "wear it pink" and donate to Breast Cancer research.

Sadness as well as joy. As well as the funeral of Mike Chinchen, we welcomed the family and friends of Paddy Rideal for a service in the church with which she was long associated. We were pleased to be reminded that she had produced the banner on our south wall showing St Mark's surrounded by children joyfully coming to worship. Quite often funerals provide an opportunity to renew links with the families of people previously in our circle of contacts and it is good to see the family members again, as well as to commend their loved ones to God's care.

I mustn't let this review of the past months go by without mentioning the sterling efforts of those, linked with St Mark's and the other churches, who have raised money for deserving charities. The stalwart group who walked from St Mark's to Corfe Castle for the Ride and Stride event, Nicky Dolton's tremendous walk for Alzheimer's research and Mark Critchlow's phenomenal swim across Studland and Swanage Bays for the RNLI. Well done all - we were delighted to support you.

Into November, the month of remembrance. As well as the usual and much appreciated events to remember those who gave their lives in war there is the "Service in Which to Remember" in St Mary's on 2nd November (All Souls Day). Then comes (all too soon!) the rush of activities leading up to Christmas. Have these dates in your diary - the seasonal market on 6th December and the Christmas Tree festival in Emmanuel Church on 11th - 13th December.

The clocks will have gone back one hour before you read these words, the nights will be longer and the weather colder and probably wetter. Nevertheless, the work of God in this town will go on and the churches, including St Mark's, will be there to offer worship, teaching and fellowship.

With all best wishes,

John Way (Churchwarden)