Dear Friends, As I write I am aware that it will soon be time for me to move and to take up my new position in the Diocese of Truro. I feel as though there is a bit of a countdown, there are things I must attend to, and sometimes it’s not clear which one to do first! Alongside those priorities that need attention there are the emotional feelings that surface as I prepare to say good bye to people I have grown to love and to work with in the village where I live but also those within the deanery. I am reminded of the words of St Paul in his letter to Timothy where he says “ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” I am mindful as I approach these final weeks of my intention to ‘finish well’, and as I do so, I am inspired by those who have taken part in the Olympics. Men and Women of differing abilities who have worked hard preparing for the moment when they will be tested against others who have also been training hard. I recall one interview where a contestant spoke eloquently about her hope for success was dependent not solely on her own will power but on the knowledge, skills and dedication of the team around her and that she was grateful to them no matter what the outcome might be, as without their support and encouragement along the way, she wouldn’t be at the Olympics at all. Being in ministry is much the same. There are no success markers, such as a bronze, silver or gold medal, indeed, this is not the reason we practice ministry. However, we are dependent on the teams and people with whom we practice. It is the pooling together of skills, experience, knowledge, wisdom, joy, compassion, dedication, prayer and willingness to serve one another that enables a church to become the beacon of love and light that Christ calls us into being. I am thankful to those in the parish, the deanery and Diocese who have supported and empowered ministry in the belief that we are enabling the Kingdom of God to be made visible in the places and communities where we live. I have valued the opportunities to share in leadership with pastoral assistants, worship leaders, lay ministers and retired clergy as well as current serving clergy. It has been a privilege to come alongside so many people, some I have come to know quite well through regular attendance at church, or during a course for celebration and others we have only met at times of great sadness and loss. I will greatly treasure the time I have spent being part of Dilton Marsh and the White Horse Team, and as Rural Dean across Heytesbury. Thank you for making me (and my husband, Cliff) so welcome and enabling us to make our home with you. Grace and peace, Caroline A reminder for those making use of the Church Yard At Holy Trinity Church, the PCC are committed to our values of caring for creation. We believe that the church yard is part of God’s creation and requires us all, as stewards, to care for the people, animals and fauna that either live there or visit. We have pledged ourselves to the values of being an ECO church and would like to ask your help to ensure that we meet those standards that will help care for and protect this precious resource for the community. Please can we ask that: a. Families refrain from planting trees, bushes or similar greenery within the church yard. b. Relatives to refrain from using artificial flowers or vases/pots/ memorabilia that could lead to injury. Gifts. Should anyone wish to offer a gift, such as a tree/bush, seat/bench or other suitable memorial item to honour and remember a departed family member, the offer would be subject first to PCC and then Diocesan approval. Thank you in advance for your help with this, Revd Caroline
" Share your heart- God will do the rest" George Sumner, Rector of the parish of Old Alresford husband of Mary Sumner.August 9th is the day each year when we celebrate all that Mary Sumner did in her lifetime and which has grown into the Worldwide Christian Movement we enjoy today. It all started when Mary was passionate about transforming the home -lives of parish families, by helping women to support one another in raising their children. Her husband was very supportive and said, "Just share your heart, God will do the rest". She was nervous at first and asked George to take her place as it was very unusual for women to be a public speaker. It all went so well, that Mary was encouraged to speak at future meetings even including the men of the parish.The meetings grew and included women, old and young, rich and poor. Others heard about her work and started groups in their own areas. In 1876 she founded the "Union of Mothers" with a membership card and a promise, "to be given up, body and soul, to Jesus Christ in Holy Baptism and, that your duty is to train your children for His service"In 1885, at a time when it was still unheard of for women to speak to large audiences, Mary Sumner was invited by the Presiding Bishop to speak to a packed church congress session for women in Portsmouth. He felt that he had no authority to speak to a group of women whose prime concern was to get enough food on the table so that the children would not starve. She overcame her nerves again. "Together, by the Grace of God, we can calm each other when we are afraid; strengthen each other when we are weak; and work together to raise our children to the Glory of God, Unity is strength" The movement grew further, increasingly with the support of bishops, internationally as well as in England.As the movement continued to grow, Mary Sumner asked herself what its purpose really was, and what it should strive for. She reflected "A true home should be a light-house, shedding its quiet beams far and wide" When she died in August 1921, 4,000 women attended her funeral which was a service of thanksgiving. She could not have conceived how the seeds she planted would grow into a movement 4 million strong in 83 countries putting their faith into action to nurture healthy relationships in families and communities and to fight for justice. (See Mothers' Union website for more information).A prayer for Salisbury Diocese Mothers' Union."God of unchanging power, your Holy Spirit enables us to proclaim your love in challenging times and places. Give to all members of Mothers' Union steadfastness, fresh understanding and a clear vision, that together we may continue the mission to which we are called. We pray, Lord, that you may lead members to offer their talents so that Salisbury Diocesan Mothers' Union is able to continue their good work done in your name. Amen. Our next meeting, on Thursday September 5th at 10.am in the Memorial Hall committee room is entitled "Metamorphosis" when we will be discussing how our church life, reflected in our Mothers' Union activities can further the work of the church here in our own parish. Enid Holbrow
"Choose some wise, understanding and respected men and women from each of your tribes, and I will set them over you" Deuteronomy 1:13In their booklet "Pray your Part". the Archbishops of Canterbury and York said, "We pray for both government and opposition parties in the coming days and for the whole life of the nation".Having planned our annual Garden Party this year to take place at Holy Trinity on 4 July, we were very grateful for its stout walls to protect us from a strong wind which was playing havoc all around us. Joined by our Mothers' Union friends from Westbury, as well as friends from the village, a very pleasant afternoon was spent enjoying Scones and Cream teas (expertly made by Sally and Jane) and lots of chat. A raffle with a selection of prizes helped us raise funds for the Mothers' Union 'Summer of Hope' appeal. This money will be used to give a hope for the future to women and girls to help lift them out of poverty, especially in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Literacy Circles enable women to learn life-changing literacy as well as numeracy, agricultural and business skills.During August, we remember our founder Mary Sumner's Day on 9 August. We are also invited to Westbury Mothers' Union Celebration on 21 August at 2:30pm in All Saints Parish Hall.Enid Holbrow
Very early on Saturday 22nd June, 3 of us from Dilton and 2 from Westbury Mothers’ Union caught a train to Oxford via Swindon and Didcot. We walked by the canal to the venue, signed in, received name badges and a welcome cup of coffee before the meeting began.We were welcomed by Jenny Searle for Oxford and Kathryn Anderson, Provincial President and opening prayers were said by Rev. Mary Harwood, Oxford Diocesan MU Chaplain.The first presentation was from South East Cluster who have a ministry of cake in hospitals (everything seems better with cake!)They also produce backpacks for children in foster care, help with English for women asylum seekers, and dementia connections for seniors.We then had Hymns we love by Pippa and Steve Cramer who, later on were enrolled as members of Mothers’ Union.Next was a presentation by Anglia Cluster. They do tea and toast for students, the soul of our shoes on domestic abuse, help with furnishing homes for refugees and producing prayer leaflets and cards for bereavements for HMP Southwell.We then had Midday Eucharist Service and enrolment of the new members, Pippa and Steve Cramer.Lunch then followed and we were able to visit the stalls and exibitions by the various clusters.The next presentation was from the South West Cluster. Bristol do coach trips for their AFIA as also do Winchester and Portsmouth for people from refuges.Bristol has the blonde angels as street support for the homeless and gives out Greggs vouchers.Salisbury has the babies which go into many schools now. There is also the caravan for holidays.Gloucester does open the book, sends cards to prisoners, helps with crafts sessions for older inmates at women’s prisons and provides rucksacks with useful items on their release.Next was the Midlands Cluster which uses a game to explain the message for the Mothers’ union.We then had a comedian, Andy Kind who is a committed christian so there was no bad language or any of the unpleasant humour usual these days and he was very entertaining.Kathryn Anderson wound up the proceedings with closing prayers by Rev. Lady Denise Brown.We then had to retrace our steps to the train station, fortunately we did not have long to wait as we could not even get a cup of tea as all the refreshment places were closed. After the two changes of train we finally arrived at Westbury at 8.30pm. It was a long day but very interesting to hear about all the many ways that the Mothers’ Union is making a difference in their areas.
