There will be a chance to receive face to face Safeguarding training at Christ Church, Warminster on Saturday 8th March, 9.30-12.30. This training will cover Basic and Foundation Levels.Anyone wishing to attend this training must please RSVP to Linda Smith on either 01985 212138 or admin@christchurchwarminster.co.uk by Monday 3rd March.If you are not sure what training you require please speak to your Parish Safeguarding OfficerWestbury - Jenny Wray-Bliss - WestburyPSO@whtministry.org.ukDilton Marsh - Yvette Cooper - DiltonPSO@whtministry.org.uk
We have now heard from Archdeacon Alan about the time-table for the appointment of the new Team Vicar. As we explained at the Team Focus day in January, the role will be made up of two parts: one will be the traditional Team Vicar role based in Dilton Marsh and with a licence to cover the whole of the White Horse Team. The other half will be a Pioneer role, reaching out to people and communities across our two parishes of Westbury and Dilton Marsh. We shall therefore be looking for someone who has had training in both traditional ministry and pioneer ministry. The Diocese is applying for funding from the Church Commissioners for the pioneer part of the role, as this is being made available for parishes where they are not able to support a full-time priest financially.The profile for the role should be ready in July. The post is planned to be advertised in the church press at the end of August and beginning of September.The shortlisting date is in October. The interview days are planned for 17 and 18 November. These dates have been agreed by the Bishop.If the person is in another role, they will have to give three months’ notice to their Bishop or employer before they will be able to take up the role.Please pray for the profile team as we meet to prepare the profile in the coming weeks.We have also been offered the opportunity to apply for additional funding for another part-time lay missional/pioneer role in the White Horse Team. We are being asked to discern what kind of role this may be: whether in reaching out to children, families, our schools, young people, the elderly, local community or something else. We are inviting people to think and pray about this and let us know if you have any suggestions about what kind of role this could be, and how we may support it. Please be in touch with myself or a member of the Ministry Team, your churchwarden or PCC member.We look forward to hearing from you.Thank you .Rebecca
"Kind words are like dripping honey, Sweetness on the tongue and health for the body" Proverbs 16 v.24A busy 2024 concluded with members helping with the preparation of Christingles for the service promoting the work of the Children's Society and, reminding us that the love of Jesus shines all over the world. A Christmas lunch with members and friends was enjoyed at the Woolpack Beckington. We were well looked after, as usual, by the friendly staff. Mere Carol Service, concludes the year, which has seen members busily promoting all that Mother's Union does to support and encourage marriage and family life.We step into a new year, wondering what may be in store for us all. but;"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus" (Phillippians 4: 6-7)Enid Holbrow
"Choose some wise, understanding and respected men and women from each of your tribes and I will set them over you" Deuteronomy 1:13The annual general meeting of our branch of the Mothers' Union met on a frosty and snow-covered countryside at the home of Jocelyn, to review our previous year's work and to outline our plans and hopes for 2025.2025 is the first of the three years in the new Triennium, when new faces and new enthusiasms will guide us in our continued work for Mothers' Union. Our new World- Wide President is Kathleen Snow. Kathleen has been a member of the Mothers' Union for 36 years and a Zonal Trustee for the Americas, so she has a vast experience of Mothers' Union Worldwide.Although we were few in number, we reviewed our activities and finances from 2024, and agreed to donate from our branch funds towards the cost of new virtual babies. This is something especially of interest to our branch as we can see the programme at work in our local schools and hear of the benefits to young people in the responsibilities of parenthood and family life. (MU supports marriage and family life.) We outlined meetings already fixed for 2025 and our hopes to invite speakers on a variety of topics. Branch tasks were agreed in order to share the different ways in which all members can feel valued. Plans for the Wave of Prayer and Soup Lunch for our February meeting were outlined and Branches of MU from Westbury and Mere have been invited to join us. After the business meeting had concluded, a lighter few minutes were taken up with a quiz in which the answers were English counties. Out of twenty questions Diana was top scorer with 14 correct answers and received a jar of chutney as her prize. We thanked Rose for this quiz and thanked Jocelyn for her hospitality. Our meeting ended with prayers before sharing the grace and carefully treading our way home on the slippery roads which fortunately were beginning to thaw in lovely winter sunshine. Our next meeting is the Soup Lunch and Wave of Prayer which will be on February 6th in Holy Trinity Church at 12 noon."Join Us and Join In" is our encouragement for this year of 2025"Walk humbly, yet boldly in the confidence of the Lord" Philippians 4:13Enid Holbrow.
