Please note that this year, the Act of Remembrance on Sunday 9 November in Westbury will take place in the Market Place at 10.55 am and NOT in the town centre War Memorial. This is because of the works going on at the Rotunda nearby. If you are coming to church for the 9.30 am service of Holy Communion at All Saints that morning, please be advised that entry to the churchyard by car will be limited. You will be able to gain access by car, but you will have to leave by 10.30 am at the latest.We recommend that only those who must park in the churchyard, park there for a limited time, and leave as soon as possible after the service. Our service will be a bit shorter than usual, to allow time afterwards to clear up and get out to the Market Place for 10.55 am. Otherwise, please park in the town centre car park or walk to church, if possible!There will be a short simple Act of Remembrance in the town centre on Armistice Day, Tuesday 11 November at 11.00 am.
We were delighted to welcome Bishop Moses and his wife Mama Rejoice to our Deanery for a week in October. Mama Rejoice came to a meeting of the Mothers Union in Westbury, joined by Dilton Marsh members, and shared something of her work as leading the Mothers Union in Maridi. The MU is very active and runs all sorts of projects to support families and children. We were shocked to hear about the woman who died in childbirth because there was no hospital nearby or midwives available. We were reminded about how blessed we are to have the NHS in our country, which we sometimes take for granted. The MU also supports children’s education, where the only schools require fees and many families can’t afford them. They are very grateful for our donations towards the children’s bursaries which mean that some children can go to school and have an opportunity to develop their lives and be lifted out of poverty. Our fundraising also goes towards supporting the Chaima Institute which educates young people in practical tasks such as agriculture, as well as giving them a Christian education in theology. Bishop Moses expressed his heartfelt thanks for all our support, prayers and donations.Please continue to support this vital work out in a very vulnerable part of the world. We take a special collection at coffee-time after our services at All Saints on the second Sunday of the month. Thank you for your continued support.We also have a prayer letter which comes out once a month from the Maridi link. I’m attaching the latest copy and there is a hard copy at the prayer wall in All Saints. Here is a message of thanks from Bishop Moses and Mama Rejoice:Dear beloved partners in the Heytesbury Deanery, Diocese of Salisbury,Warm greetings in the precious name of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!On behalf of the Diocese of Maridi, we wish to express our heartfelt appreciation and sincere thanks to you for the warm invitation and gracious hospitality extended to the Bishop of Maridi and Mama Rejoice during our recent visit from 6th to 12th October.We are deeply grateful for the opportunity to share in fellowship, worship, and mutual encouragement during our time with you. Your kindness, generosity, and Christian love were evident in every aspect of our visit—from the homes that welcomed us, to the churches and gatherings where we were so warmly received.Our time in Heytesbury Deanery was both spiritually enriching and personally encouraging. The bonds of friendship and partnership in the Gospel were strengthened, and we return to Maridi with joyful hearts and a renewed sense of unity in Christ’s mission.Thank you once again for walking alongside us in faith and ministry. May the Lord bless and continue to use you all mightily in the service of His Kingdom.With deep appreciation and every blessing in Christ,+ Moses and Mama RejoiceOn behalf of the Diocese of Maridi
This year's Christmas Tree Festival will run from Friday 5th December – Sunday 7th December (incl) and we are hopeful that you will continue to support the church by again participating in this event. It's a great way to publicise your community organisation or a business and have some fun too! As before, the Church will provide the tree. The cost of the tree is the same as last year at £26. You may keep the tree after the event, however, please note that the pot that the tree stands in is not included in the costs and must be returned (complete with fixing screws) to All Saints Church at an agreed date/time. The trees are set up in the church by our church volunteers and then allocated to participants. Please be aware that there is no power supply available for the tree lights so you will need to use battery powered lights for your tree. Decoration and dismantling dates will be sent to you with your booking acknowledgement. A range of entertainment is planned for all days throughout the festival, and the church will provide light refreshments. All monies raised at the tree festival will go towards the essential upkeep of the church. If you would like to participate in the Christmas Tree Festival again this year, please complete and return the application form by Friday 31st October. You can return the form by email to: Office@whtministry.org.uk or you can post it or deliver it by hand to: Team Office, All Saints Church, Westbury BA13 3BT. If you are delivering your completed form by hand, please drop it into the letter box on the back gate of the Parish Hall (visible from the church yard). Your ongoing support is gratefully appreciated.the Christmas Tree Festival Committee
We are delighted to welcome Bishop Andrew to All Saints on Advent Sunday for a special service of Confirmation and Holy Communion. We have some candidates from both Westbury and Dilton Marsh parishes who are currently preparing for Confirmation.Being confirmed is an opportunity for someone who has been baptised as an infant or young child, to affirm the promises made on their behalf by their parents and godparents. Anyone can be confirmed at any age, and if the person has not already been baptised, then they can be baptised at this service. Our current confirmation candidates are all members of our churches who have been going through some preparation with myself. We have been looking at the core Christian beliefs, such as Who is God and what is God like? Jesus: his life and ministry. Jesus’ death and resurrection and what they mean for us today. Who is the Holy Spirit? What is the Church? And how do we live as a Christian? We have been using a very helpful book called “ Faith Confirmed” which sets out our Christian faith clearly and attractively, with Bible passages to read and reflect on and questions for discussion. The group has been lively and stimulating, and people have been able to share their questions and thoughts in an open and safe space.At the service, the candidates will be professing their faith in Christ, and the Bishop will lay hands on them and pray for the gift of the Holy Spirit in their lives to dwell within them and inspire them to live their lives for God and for others.We hope that many will come to witness and be part of this special service which I’m sure will be a joyful occasion. It will also be good to welcome and meet with Bishop Andrew, who will lead and preach at this service.Please pray for the candidates as they prepare for this service, and for all the arrangements being made. As this is a Team service, there will be no other services in our churches this Sunday.After the service, there will be tea and coffee at the back of the church, and then there will be a bring and share lunch in the parish hall at 12.30 pm. We hope that many will be able to stay and join us for lunch and an opportunity to meet with others from across the Team and share in fellowship together. I shall be inviting the Bishop to join us for this as well, if he can. Please sign the list in your church if you are planning to stay for lunch, and if you can bring a dish to share. Please be in touch with your local church rep about this: Caroline Dunseath in Westbury and Sally Esposito in Dilton Marsh.Looking forward to seeing you then!The Revd Rebecca Harris
