Thank you to those who attended our annual parochial church council meeting on Sunday 18 May. Ruth Hann was re-elected churchwarden for the 6th year. Our PCC members are: Ruth Hann, Judith Newton, Jenny Wray-Bliss, Brian Osborne, Lily Munday, Deanery Synod Members - Beth Thomas & Simon Thorne and LPA Ashley Jones.Debbie McEntee has stood down and finishing her time on the PCC. We are very sorry to hear this, as Debbie has done a fine job as our PCC Secretary over several years and we shall miss her.We are therefore looking to appoint a new PCC Secretary as soon as possible. We are looking for someone with good IT skills, who is efficient and organised and would be available to attend our meetings six times a year in the evening. We could co-opt a new person onto the PCC at any time. They don’t have to be a regular church member, but at least in sympathy with the church. If you know anyone suitable or would like to know more about this role yourself, please be in touch with either myself or churchwarden Ruth Hann. Thank you. Rebecca
Holly will be leaving her curacy at the White Horse Team at the end of July. She has been offered a place on an MA course on Disability and Theology which will start in September. She will, however, be leaving the curacy house at the end of this month, as they family have a secured a suitable property in Staverton. Holly will therefore be commuting between Staverton and Westbury during June and July. Holly’s last Sunday will be 27th July when we hope to arrange a suitable leaving event for her, to show her our thanks and appreciation for her four years with us, and to wish her well for the future. Details to be announced. Please include Holly in your prayers as she prepares to move house and go on to pastures new.Please note that Revd Holly's telephone number from 30 May will be 07835 915580.
"As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in Him" Colossians2: v6.Our branch meeting on May 1st, was held at the home of Maureen Torry, where on a beautiful sunny day we were warmly welcomed.It was a pleasure to have Stan and Diana Condliffe to talk to us about their lives which, after always attending churches and taking part in discussions and various church led courses, they felt called by the Holy Spirit to go to India and later Africa to spread the "Good News". Their first mission was under the leadership of VIE India. This is "Village Evangelism of India Mission." which was established in 1951 and is a Non-Governmental organization spanning various fields including sharing the gospel. Their first destination was India accompanied by VIE and lasted about a month. During this time, they saw, first-hand, the poverty of the people but their great kindness and willingness to share, was evident. Miraculous new life was experienced by many who came to know of the love of Jesus . Their fellow countrymen were always "non-judgmental" and strongly believed that all Christian people would welcome other Christians and offer hospitality even when they had so little themselves. The conditions of the roads, the food and the threat of attack by bandits did not deter them and they knew that the Lord would protect them. Another mission to Africa, where there is also great poverty was a surprise to African "White People" who, thought that "White People" should only be preaching in "White Churches! Sadly, this racial discrimination is still evident around the world today." As Stan and Diana are shortly to leave their home here with us, we pray that God will show them where he wants them to be as they continue their mission of spreading the "Good News". We thanked them for a really interesting and inspiring talk and recognized that there is a salutary lesson for us all to learn when professing to call ourselves "Christian" what it really means.Other business included plans for our outing to Tewkesbury in July and various Mothers' Union communications from the diocesan office. Prayers concluded our meeting. Thanks given to Maureen for her hospitality and the date of our next meeting was announced. This is: Wednesday 11th June, when we join our friends from All Saints Church. Beginning with a communion service at 11am. This is followed by a Quiet Day led by Revd. Margaret Davies. We always enjoy these inspirational gatherings."Commit your way to, the Lord; trust in Him, and He will act" Psalm 37:v5.Enid Holbrow
"Prayer is simply a two-way conversation between you and God" (Billy Graham)Mothers' Union have had a busy few weeks with lots of interesting gatherings and shared information about the work of Mothers' Union.Our World Day of Prayer service , which this year was prepared by the Christian women of the Cook Islands, was hosted by St. Bernadette's Church in Westbury, where we were made very welcome and presented with a posy of flowers as we arrived. A lovely display at the front of the church, depicting life in the Cook Islands was the setting for the readings, prayers and stories which formed part of the service. A generous Tea and Cake social time concluded our visit. Some of our members attended the Lady Day service at the Cathedral in Salisbury on March 29th. We were invited to share the Mothering Sunday Service on Sunday March 30th. with Revd. Helen, by readings about the work of Mothers Union around the world with prayers and reflections. After the service a retiring collection was taken to help the work of the Salisbury/Sudan Medical Mission, with particular interest in the work to support the care given to new mothers to ensure safe delivery and to combat the very high death rate of both mothers and babies. Thank you to everyone who contributed, allowing Holy Trinity Church to send a generous donation. Jocelyn as a trustee, was able to attend the visit of Kathleen Snow, our new World- Wide President to Salisbury (a separate report covers this visit.) Our April meeting at Jocelyn's home , welcomed Rosie to talk about her visit to Malta and witnessing the procession representing the Crucifixion . Assisted by Keith, she showed us pictures about this very moving representation which takes place each year on the outskirts of Valetta. Afterward members reminisced about their own experiences of Easter traditions as children or ones which they had witnessed abroad on their travels. Plans for our annual outing, this year to Tewkesbury Abbey were outlined. Jenny led the prayers and Keith was thanked for his help and Jocelyn thanked for her hospitality. Our May Meeting, at the home of Maureen Torry , 10 Greenacres, on May 1st at 10am, will welcome Carrie Walsh, a diocesan trustee to talk about her life work."Come follow me" Jesus said, and "I will send you out to fish for people" At once they left their nets and followed Him. Mark 1: 17-18.Enid Holbrow
