This year we shall be using the Church of England’s Lent resource called Draw Near. This looks at the different ways in which we can develop a rhythm of life that helps us grow in our faith and as a disciple of Christ. Each week explores an activity central to our discipleship: worship, prayer, Scripture, Communion, service to others and sharing the good news. The daily reflections include Bible readings, prayers and practical responses. These are available in a booklet form, and also as an email or download from the C of E website: cofe.io/DrawNear. You can download the app here. We are ordering the booklets ready for the start of Lent at a cost of £2.50 each. If you would like to order one, please sign the list in your church. We are also offering the opportunity to discuss the material in small groups around the Team. We have three groups available:Monday afternoons at 2.30 pm at the home of Helen and Graham Stevensen in Leigh Park, from 23 FebruaryTuesday mornings at 10.30 am at the home of Tess Brocksopp in Dilton Marsh from 24 FebruaryThursday afternoons at 2.30 pm at the foyer of the Methodist church in Westbury from 26 February.There will be five weekly sessions during Lent. Please sign up on the list in your church if you would like to come to a group and we will give you the details of the venues.If you have any questions, please be in touch with Revd Rebecca.Thank you.
Thank you to all in the community that completed our 2025 survey and provided valuable insight into the direction the hall should go in the future. The main theme throughout was the positive response to improve, maintain and use the hall as it was seen as a valuable and currently underutilised asset for the community. Please remember if you would like to hire the hall this year to contact the Team Office office@whtministry.org.ukThe group's application to create a new charity to take on the management of the Hall is currently with the Charity Commission and we hope to hear from them in late spring. The volunteer team is currently in the process of prioritising refurbishment activities for 2026 and we will share progress with you as we move through the year.We are also planning more free Saturday craft / open days in 2026 with our first event planned on Saturday 14th February for crafting activities based on the Chinese new year (year of the horse) and Valentine's Day. Please come and join us for the children's crafting activities or just for a sit down and a cup of tea.Craft event / tea, coffee and a chat community dates for your diary:1. Saturday 14th February 1 to 4pm - Free Chinese new year and Valentines crafts for kids + tea and coffee and a chat 2. Saturday 14th March 1 to 4pm - Free Mothers day and early Easter crafts for kids + tea and coffee and a chat3. Saturday 30th May 1 to 4pm - Free crafts for kids + tea and coffee and a chat
Just a reminder that All Saints church is a collection point for donations to our local food bank. There is a box in the south porch where you can place your donations when you come to church or if you are passing during the week. The Food Bank welcomes donations of food items with at least three months’ of “best-before-date,” so do check your items before dropping them off. They would be pleased to receive tins and packets of food, including pet food and toiletries. Thank you for your donations. Please see their website: www.westburyareanetwork.org for more details.
Each of our Parishes holds an Annual Parishioners Meeting and Annual Parochial Church Meeting. These meetings are an important part of our parish life. The Annual Parishioners Meeting is open to anyone who lives in Westbury or Dilton Marsh parishes and elects our churchwardens. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is open to all but only members on the electoral roll can vote. At the latter meeting the Rector and Parochial Church Council (PCC) present the annual accounts for the previous year and report on activities that took place. We elect members of the Parochial Church Council and this year we will also be electing our representatives for the Deanery Synod. The electoral roll is our formal list of church members. Anyone who attends services in our churches is encouraged to register. Only members of the electoral roll can be a member of our Parochial Church Councils and Deanery Synod. Our PCC members help to lead and manage our churches and support the Rector and Churchwardens. Churchwardens for WestburyThis year Ruth Hann will be stepping down as churchwarden of Westbury after 6 years. This is the maximum time that a churchwarden can hold the role. If you feel called to this essential role in our church life and want to know more about it please speak to Ruth or Rebecca about what it involves. Deanery SynodWe are part of Heytesbury Deanery which stretches as far as Mere. Representatives of each parish meet together and its members elect representatives to the Diocesan Synod. It is an important way to keep in touch with other parishes in the area and work together. Westbury and Dilton Marsh can each elect 2 representatives. If you would like to find out more please speak to your Churchwardens Ruth Hann, Sonja Harris and Tess Brocksopp or Revd Rebecca Harris. Dilton Marsh will hold their annual meetings on Sunday 10 May and Westbury will hold their annual meetings on Sunday 17 May. Nomination forms for the role of Churchwarden, PCC and Deanery Synod member can be found on this page.
