SEPTEMBER 2009
_____________________________________________________________________
‘VICAR’S LETTER’
Dear Friends
This month I’m going to contribute various shorter pieces to the magazine instead of one long ‘chunk’. I hope that will both be more readable and also help to make the various items stand out more.
This month you will find a list of ‘What’s On’ in the autumn. We keep such a list in the church vestry – but few people see it there! So it ought to be shared.
There’s many a slip, as any homeowner knows, when it comes to selling up and moving house. But this is what Gary and Pat Dickinson expect to be doing this autumn. In which case, they will no doubt disappear in a puff of blue smoke as soon as all the formalities are complete. Before this happens I want to thank Gary for maintaining the church’s membership list (or Electoral Roll) for a number of years and both of them for the way they have looked after wedding couples since, I believe, Richard Impey’s time as Vicar. Their contribution has not only been their efficiency, which is legendary, but also the way in which they have got to know all the wedding couples personally and helped to make them welcome in church. This is so important and as a result we now have some new and younger church members, which is the greatest compliment to them one could imagine.
Church festivals are no longer quite so simple as following the Prayer Book collects etc. This is because successive adaptions to services have introduced some new commemorations. One that catches my eye this month is Hildegard of Bingen, the Abbess of a medieval nunnery on the banks of the Rhine, who died in 1179. She was a quite amazing woman in a period when most of her sex spent their lives in obscurity as wives and mothers. Hildegard had medical training, was knowledgeable about natural history, saw visions, and wrote poetry which she set to music. It is remarkable that one can buy a CD of her music today, 830 years later. Any tourist in Austria, Germany and Switzerland will keep coming across great monasteries and abbeys, often in extremely grand buildings. Hildegard reminds us, though, that the function of such places is the worship of Almighty God. I remember a couple of years ago fetching up in a small Swiss town one evening and hearing the sound of singing from such a building. After wandering through long corridors I came across the monks and nuns singing compline, a beautiful evening service some of which found its way into our evensong. It was a wonderfully peaceful and prayerful moment to be able to join them. Amidst all the appeals for money or to do church jobs, let us not forget our raison d’être, which is, to say our prayers and to encourage others to do so with us.
One way in which we can encourage people is to invite them to church on September 27th, “Back to Church Sunday”. I can definitely think of one person who now comes regularly as a result of this last year. It all depends on YOU thinking of someone you know who might benefit from church and then asking them. Special invitation cards will be available.
Yours sincerely,
Richard
Bishop’s Letter - September, 2009
This month Bishop Steven writes:
Who do you think you are?
I’m slowly getting into the BBC television series in which famous people explore their family tree. In most family history there is a sense of drama and a story worth telling. Someone pointed out to me recently that nearly always the trail leads out of this country to a different land. One of my grandfathers always claimed he was had Romany blood in his veins. If I ever trace my family back, Arthur would be the place to begin.
Racial Justice Sunday is on 13th September. Our Diocesan Synod agreed in July to ask all parishes to mark Racial Justice Sunday in some way through readings and prayers in our worship. Every parish is also asked to send representatives to the special service in Rotherham Minster that day.
Why should we bother to engage with something like Racial Justice Sunday? Isn’t this another example of the church trying to be political correct? Not at all.
Jesus said that to love our neighbour as ourselves is one of the two greatest commandments. He illustrates that commandment in Luke’s gospel with the story of the good Samaritan. It’s a story which turns on the overcoming of racial prejudice. Our neighbour is often the person of a different race.
As a church we can’t ignore the fact that tension between people of different racial backgrounds is growing in our communities at the present time. That is a very bad thing for everyone. We have to do all we can to overcome it. That involves personal actions and decisions. It means bearing witness together to the love of God for all people and that everyone should be treated equally and fairly.
But there is another reason why Christians should take a lead in working for racial justice and harmony. The Bible gives us God’s vision for human society. According to Ephesians 2, it’s a vision of different races and peoples being forged together into one new humanity. The nations of the earth are brought together in one body through the cross of Christ (Ephesians 2.15). The church is a worldwide communion. People of every race and background are our brothers and sisters in the Lord.
The message of the Christian gospel is good news for all our world because offers all people a vision of a better way: peace in place of strife, harmony instead of hatred, working together creatively in place of one group trying to dominate another.
So there can be no place in the Christian church for prejudice on the grounds of race. And the church, the people who follow Jesus Christ, should aim to give a lead to the rest of our society in this area as in so many others.
Who do you think we are? We are the church, the rainbow people of God and we take racial justice seriously.
Bishop Steven
MID TOIL and Tribulation“
Hymn no. 255 A.M.R.
I would like to thank, on behalf of myself and all our family, the many friends who have helped us and indeed continue to help us through this difficult time in our lives.
A “Slough of Despondency” may be one way of describing it and yet I cannot help but think that for Pilgrim the actuality of that “Slough” was understated by the word “Despondency”. I’m sure to him it may have felt more like the jaws of hell itself. We know how he must have felt.
However, throughout this agony of loss, we have ever been conscious of the many arms outstretched into this pit of grief, anxiously calling to us to look up, to see all the smiling, helpful faces calling to us to take their hands as they all slowly try to bring us out and up onto the surface again.
I have never been more conscious of the power of prayer, of love and friendship and sincere goodwill surrounding our family. I thank you all from the depths of my heart for your innumerable kindnesses, to our family.
We are certainly conscious that the Christian message of Love is very much in evidence in all around us and for this we thank God and through Him we thank you.
May the power of God’s love surround each one of us in our times of tribulation.
Ann Collier
REPORTS
Wentworth W I AUGUST MEETING
A good number of members enjoyed a delicious meal at ‘Le Bistro’ for our meeting this month. A mild summer evening, it was most enjoyable. A sociable evening, with plenty of chatter and laughter in a relaxed atmosphere. The food is always of good standard and the variety and choice makes it interesting. Of course there was no ‘competition’ this month, but future months are as follows:-
| DATE | SUBJECT | COMPETITION |
| 10 Sept | How did it get that name? – Ken Bell | Unusual surname |
| 8 Oct | AGM & Mystery Night | A fancy hankie |
| 12 Nov | A Detective’s Tale - R Shelton | A magnifying glass |
| 10 Dec | Let’s celebrate Christmas | A Christmas cracker |
Anyone is welcome to join us at any of our meetings, particularly if there is a subject you are interested in. The cost for visitors is £2.50 a meeting, including refreshments.
Susan Beedham
WENTWORTH AND HARLEY MOTHERS’ UNION
We were joined by some members from Hoy Trinity Ladies and church members on our outing to Winthrop Park Nature Therapy Gardens. We had a most enjoyable time, the weather was warm and sunny, the volunteers at the gardens made us most welcome and were very knowledgeable about the gardens and we finished our evening with tea, a quiz and poems.
Our meeting in September is on Friday 25 September at 7.30pm in the vestry at Harley. This is a discussion evening and I would like to remind all members that their magazine subs are due.
The Tots Group will re-open on Monday 7 September. We can no longer call in the Mums and Tots Group as we have a dad and grannies that come weekly.
Sheila Wood
JOBS TO DO
A number of people have had to retire from key posts recently or will be doing so before the next AGM. Subject to formal approval by the PCC, I am delighted to welcome Kevin Snape as Electoral Roll Officer and Lissa Higgins as the Organiser for the Church Garden Party. What, at the time of writing, is left?
- Arts Festival Organiser
- Wedding Co-ordinators (it probably requires a couple)
- Deanery Synod Representative(s), and
- Fabric Working Group convenor.
The Arts Festival is a one-off task but a major one. The number of weddings we have annually means that the co-ordinators have a busy all-year-round role (holidays are allowed though!). I feel a little guilty for seeking someone as, traditionally, a Vicar would done this. But, for two reasons, this isn’t really ‘on’. First, there are now far more than the average numbers of ceremonies in Holy Trinity each year and, if I did it, at some times of year I would be doing little else. And second, there will again be a ‘Vicar-less’ period (an interregnum) in the reasonably near future, so it is foolish to store up problems for the future by not sorting it now.
Roy Smalley and his team have saved the church a large sum of money – thousands of pounds – over the years because of work they have done voluntarily. He wishes to retire next year and Gary, a regular helper, is also leaving. So we need some fresh and younger blood to keep this effort going. The group is sometimes known as the Fabric Committee, but it isn’t a talking shop, but a team who help to spot problems before they become serious and also do some of the tasks surrounding major items of work so that we don’t have to employ professionals to do everything. The cleaning around the north transept is a good case in point. I hope we can find some new volunteers to keep things going.
Deanery Synod is a sort of mini-parliament for the next stage up from the parish in Church of England structures – the Deanery of, in our case, Wath-on-Dearne. I am very impressed by the way our deanery is currently run. The meetings are never allowed to drag on and we often have extremely interesting discussions and speakers. It is important that the parish has at least one representative (we are entitled to two) as well as the Vicar, not least because when the time comes for choosing a new Vicar Wentworth Parish needs to be seen as one which pulls its weight locally and is interested in the wider church. Increasingly, I think, parishes that, like McCavity’s cat, walk alone could be left by the diocese to manage on their own. We need to see ourselves as members of a team. And a Synod Rep is one step in the right direction!
Two points to end this with. I have twice mentioned ‘the next Vicar’. This is not because I do not envisage being here a while longer. Sylvia and I hope we will be. But the realities of being over-age and temporary have to be acknowledged. Second, none of these jobs are exactly ones for self-nomination. I, and perhaps the Churchwardens, will need to decide if the individual fits the person spec. So, though I warmly welcome offers or ideas, it will be a case of weighing the options. If, however, you feel called to any of these vacancies yourself, please pray about it and then speak to me. Meanwhile, I shall continue looking and asking.
Richard Buckley
Christian Aid
First of all I would like to apologise for the late appearance of this announcement, though I’m sure you all understand why it’s so late!
The total raised by the congregation of Holy Trinity Church and the ecclesiastical parish, including a generous donation of £50.55 from the Hoyland Salvation Army, was £1492.62. If the Salvation Army donation is deducted from this amount the total is still £100 higher than last year, which I think in a year of recession in the national economy is quite remarkable.
Of the above total £680.75 was gift aided yielding a further £192.00 of tax refunded to Christian Aid. This should produce a total of £1,684.62. I think for a small community this is a most satisfying result. In fact I think it’s terrific!
I would like to thank my loyal band of collectors who so industriously knock on every door in the parish asking for donations for this excellent charity. I would also like to thank Sheila Wood for the coffee morning at Harley that she organised, and Wentworth School for distributing envelopes to the School children. My thanks are also extended to the businesses in the village that kindly allowed me to place collecting boxes on their counters. These included the Village Shop, the Bistro, the Garden Centre and the Post Office. Susan and Peter at the Post Office also very kindly coped with banking the money, often at times when I am sure it was not too convenient, with enthusiasm and never a complaint!
Lastly, and most importantly, thank you to all of you who gave so generously to raise this splendid amount. Well done everyone.
Ann Collier
Christian Aid Representative
THANK YOU
Dear Friends
Audrey and Peter want to thank all who supported and gave at our afternoon tea. Your response and generosity was truly wonderful, from both those who attended and those who were unable to.
The closing reward was £357, plus £43 in donations. Donations received in Church on Sunday morning amounted to £170 giving a total of £570. This has been rounded up to give a grand total of £600!
What a good day!
Thanks once again to all who gave so generously. Thanks be to God for such wonderful people and wonderful weather
Audrey and Peter Pedler
HARLEY MISSION NOTES
We will be celebrating our Harvest Thanksgiving on Sunday 27 September with services at 9.30am and 6.30pm. The Harvest offerings will go to RUSH House in Rotherham, this is where youngsters are helped during difficult times so gifts of tinned and packet food would be most useful.
The church will be decorated on Friday 25 September, if you are able to help please come along, donations of flowers and fruit are needed please.
Sheila Wood
A VERY SPECIAL VISION: SAT-7
“How can we best support the followers of Jesus in the Middle East and North Africa and help their churches grow?”
That was the question that Arab church leaders were asking back in the mid-90s. The daring answer that emerged was satellite TV – jumping censorship, overcoming illiteracy and meeting people in their living rooms – a wonderful opportunity for the Gospel!
For millions of Christians living in the Middle East and North Africa, satellite television is their only hope for Christian teaching and encouragement – in some areas there are simply no churches. Low literacy levels prevent many from reading the Bible, even when it is available, and in some places it is very dangerous to confess your Christian faith. In the face of these challenges and difficulties, an exciting ministry emerged, sending God’s Word and His Love directly into homes across the region via free to view, uncensored satellite television. This ministry is SAT-7: a network of satellite television channels broadcasting Christian programmes made by and for the people of the Middle East and North Africa.
Beginning in 1996, with just 2 hours of broadcasts per week in Arabic, SAT-7 has grown to be three 24 hour channels, bringing hope, support and meaning to a known audience of over 8.5 million viewers* in Arabic, Farsi and Turkish. With high quality programmes ranging from Biblical teaching seminars to social impact documentaries, Christian films to children’s cartoons, SAT-7 broadcasts holistic Christian programmes which encourage churches, families and individuals alike in every aspect of their lives.
For some, SAT-7 is the only place where they can share worship and prayer with other Christians. For others it is an added ingredient which feeds their spiritual needs alongside their family and church worship. Further support is offered, with telephone counselling centres run by partner churches and volunteers around the Middle East and North Africa, where viewers can find help with theological questions, spiritual advice and receive prayer support.
The responses from SAT-7’s viewers speak for themselves about how SAT-7 is changing their lives:
“If it was not for SAT-7 I would have remained completely ignorant about the Lord Jesus Christ for the rest of my life” – Young Algerian viewer
“My soul is at peace and I know comfort whenever I listen to God’s Word through SAT-7’s programmes”. – Arab woman in London
God is using SAT-7’s television programmes to touch hearts and change lives.
SAT-7 is run as a charity, never asking for funds on air, or charging its viewers a subscription but relying entirely on donations. If you would like to know more about SAT-7, become a volunteer, join our prayer community or make a donation towards this far-reaching ministry, you can visit our website at www.sat7trust.org, or call us on 01249 765865. Alternatively, you can email us on respond@sat7trust.org, or write to: SAT-7 Trust, The Coach House, 43 New Road, Chippenham, Wiltshire SN15 1HL.
CRY – Heart of London Bridges Walk
Many thanks to everyone who sponsored me in this charity event. With my market stall and sponsorship I raised £100 which has been sent to CRY. (Cardiac Risk in the Young)
The Walk is expected to raise well over £60,000 this year.
It will be held again next year, probably the 3rd Sunday in July, if anyone would like to join me, its a great event and you see most of London’s great sights as you criss-cross the Bridges of London from Westminster to the Tower of London. It is not a race, so you can go at your own pace. Over 600 took part this year and we hope more will come next year. We had good weather and it was fantastic walking along the Thames and over the bridges next to all the great landmarks, including St. Paul’s.
Once again, many thanks,
Janet Payling
Starts back after the Summer break at Wentworth Holy Trinity Church
On Sunday 6th of September
10.45am
All children are welcome, aged 3 – 13
CELEBRATION OF MARRIAGE
Next month, on Sunday September 13th, we are having a special Marriage Celebration Service at 10.45 a.m. Currently not many couples are coming specially, but there will be at least some who want to renew their vows. If any other couples in the congregation would like to do so, please have a word with me (though you don’t have to give advance notice). For many of us it can still be a thanksgiving for the partnership we have, even without formally renewing vows. And, even if you have been widowed, I hope that you still feel able to come and to remember the happiness of past years.
Roy Young is kindly providing part of his fascinating collection of period wedding dresses and memorabilia for an exhibition. The day is also part of a Rotherham-wide Heritage Open Weekend involving many interesting churches. Holy Trinity will be open during the afternoon so people can see the exhibition and we hope to provide cups of tea as well. Anyone who can offer an hour or so to steward will be welcome; please sign up or speak to me.
Richard Buckley
HARLEY MISSION CHURCH
DIARY DATES FOR SEPTEMBER 2009
|
DAY/DATE |
TIME |
EVENT |
| Wednesday 2 | 8.50am1.30pm | Morning PrayerLadies Friendship/Knitting Group |
| Friday 4 | 8.50am | Morning Prayer |
| Sunday 6 | 9.30am | Family Service |
| Monday 7 | 8.50am10.00am | Morning PrayerTots Group |
| Wednesday 9 | 8.50am10.00am1.30pm | Morning PrayerTots GroupLadies Friendship/Knitting Group |
| Friday 11 | 8.50am | Morning Prayer |
| Sunday 13 | 9.30am | Holy Communion |
| Monday 14 | 8.50am10.00am | Morning PrayerTots Group |
| Wednesday 16 | 8.50am10.00am1.30pm | Morning PrayerTots GroupLadies Friendship/Knitting Group |
| Friday 18 | 8.50am | Morning Prayer |
| Sunday 20 | 9.30am | Morning Prayer |
| Monday 21 | 8.50am10.00am | Morning PrayerTots Group |
| Wednesday 23 | 8.50am10.00am1.30pm | Morning PrayerTots GroupLadies Friendship/Knitting Group |
| Friday 25 | 8.50am7.30pm | Morning PrayerMothers’ Union |
| Sunday 27 | 9.30am6.30pm | Holy Communion-Harvest FesitvalHARVEST EVENSONG |
| Monday 28 | 8.50am10.00am | Morning PrayerTots Group |
| Wednesday 30 | 8.50am10.00am1.30pm | Morning PrayerTots GroupLadies Friendship/Knitting Group |
The Bible Study Group meets every Wednesday at 8.00pm at various venues. Please contact 0114 2570477 for details.
SERVICES AND OTHER ACTIVITIES FOR SEPTEMBER
Wednesday 2nd
2.00pm Trinity Ladies [Mechanics]
Sunday 6th – Trinity 13
8.15am Holy Communion
9.30am Family Service [Harley]
10.45am Parish Communion
6.30pm Evensong (from now on, back in the big church)
Sunday 13th – Trinity 14
8.15am Holy Communion
9.30am Holy Communion [Harley]
10.45am Celebration of Marriage service
During the afternoon church open with wedding exhibition
Sunday 20th – Trinity 15
8.15am Holy Communion
9.30am Morning Prayer [Harley]
10.45am Morning Prayer
6.30pm Evensong
Tuesday 22nd
7.00pm Open meeting with Bishop Steven (our new Bishop) at St Margaret’s Church, Swinton – all are welcome
Tuesday 22nd – Saturday 26th
Wentworth Music Festival (see full details elsewhere)
Friday 25th
7.30pm Mothers’ Union (at Harley, but jointly with the Parish Church); the subject is the Cost of Relationships
Sunday 27th – Trinity 16
Back to Church Sunday
8.15am Holy Communion
9.30am Holy Communion [Harley]
10.45am Parish Communion
12.30am Baptisms
6.30pm Harvest Festival [at Harley]
Tuesday 29th
7.30pm PCC Meeting in the Mechanics [changed from the 14th]
SIDESPEOPLE FOR SEPTEMBER
6th Marian & Simon Chatterton
13th Betty Wilson & Sandra Davies
20th Walter & Martin Parry
27th Stephen & Christine Clapham
(We could do with a couple more volunteers for comfort and also because some of those currently on the rota are feeling their age a bit; the same goes for those reading the bible and for the coffee rota. Offers to the Vicar please.)
TEA/COFFEE ROTA FOR SEPTEMBER
6th Christine Hayes, Pat Dickinson & Margaret Holmes
13th Mothers’ Union
20th Marion & Simon Chatterton
27th Janet Payling & Martin Parry
FROM THE REGISTERS
BAPTISMS
26th July Declan James Waldron
Thomas Mark Pickering
Ellie Grace Bower
16th Aug Leah May Elizabeth Wrigley
Thomas William Ford
Beth Lily Harvey
Emily Grace Taylor
Shine as a light in the world, to the glory of God the Father
WEDDINGS
25th July Adam Charles Later & Louise Galagher
Daniel Hammerton & Jennifer Evelyn Lunt
1st Aug Graham Stephen Harwood & Sarah Louise Smith
Adrian Eric Mansell & Georgina Marie Needham
2nd Aug Marlon Ji Miller & Rebecca Gent
7th Aug Ben William Murfin & Paula Francesca Cooper
14th Aug John Stephen Wright & Penny Beresford
15th Aug Paul Glover & Kerrie Anne Fleming
Stuart Andrew Meadowcroft & Shari Lewis
21st Aug Daniel Frederick Rooks & Caroline Dawn Capper
God is love, and those who live in love live in God, and God lives in them
DEPOSITION OF ASHES
26th July Edna Parkin (80)
7th Aug Ernest Russell Whittaker (77)
14th Aug Derek Robert Vernon (85)
Blessed are those that mourn, for they will be comforted
WHAT’S ON IN THE AUTUMN
- ● Friday 2nd October – Harvest Supper
- ● Sunday 4th October – Harvest Festival Service 10.45
- ● Sunday 1st November – All Saints Day, Memorial Service, 10.45
- ● Sunday 8th November – Remembrance Sunday Service 10.45
- ● Saturday 21st November – Harley Christmas Fair 10.00
- ● Sunday 22nd November – Shoe Box Sunday & Family Service
- ● Saturday 28th November – Christmas Fair 2.00
- ● Sunday 29th November – Advent Carols 10.45
- ● Saturday 12th December – Escafeld Chorale 7.30
- ● Sunday 13th December – Christingle 10.45
- ● Friday 18th December – York Waites 7.30
- ● Sunday 20th December – Harley Christingle & Nativity 9.30
- ● Sunday 20th December – Nine Lessons & Carols 6.30
- ● Monday 21st December – Harley Carols 7.00
- ● Thursday 24th December – Crib & Candle Service 5.00
- ● Thursday 24th December – Midnight Mass 11.30
- ● Friday 25th December – Harley Children’s Service 9.30
- ● Friday 25th December – Parish Communion 10.45 (also 8.15 a.m.)
- ● Sunday 27th December – Favourite Carols 10.45
(any corrections or additions to the editor or the Vicar please)
YORKSHIRE HAS TALENT
see for yourself: visit
BULLCROFT ART BUDS’ ANNUAL
ART and CRAFT FAIR
At BULLCROFT MEMORIAL HALL,
CARCROFT.
Sat. 10th OCTOBER lOam to 6.00pm.
Sun. 11th OCTOBER lOam to 5.0Opm.
SOMETHING NEW ..
Our Junior Section are having their own fund raising stall, with lots of
STOCKING FILLERS
only 50p EACH.-
WELL WORTH A~FAMILY VISIT.
We hope to establish this as a regular event,
PLEASE GIVE US YOUR SUPPORT.
If you wish to enter any work (craftwork, hand thrown pottery, jewellery, paintings/drawings etc) please telephone
Maureen Chantry on 01302 724490 for further details and/or entry forms
WENTWORTH CHURCH
MUSIC FESTIVAL 2009
NOTICE OF CONCERTS IN SEPTEMBER 2009
Tuesday 22nd September at 7.30 pm
Dore Chimes, Gilbert and Sullivan Evening
Wednesday 23rd September at 7.00 pm
Thurnscoe Harmonic Male Voice Choir
Thursday 24th September at 7.30 pm
Opera, Oratorio, Lied and Popular Songs
Sarah Potts, Angela Hartley and Ernesto Correa, with Richard Taylor
Friday 25th September at 7.30 pm
Emperor String Quartet
Saturday 26th September at 7.30 pm
Margaret Duckworth Singers
Detailed information will be available from mid-August
Contact : Richard Taylor, Lynwood, Hoober, Rotherham S62 7SA
01709 527713
Next Issue of the Magazine
Articles to be included in October’s edition of the magazine should be with me, please no later than Sunday, 20th September , and can be sent to me via email (ruth.mangham@sky.com), by telephone 0114 2455448 or left in the vestry or posted to me at 55 Chapelfield Crescent, Thorpe Hesley, Rotherham, S61 2TP. Articles and any other queries can also be sent to Richard via email (richard@buckjley@wanadoo.co.uk) or by telephone 0114 2465064, or by letter to the Vicarage on Church Drive.
AND FINALLY
The more you give, the more you get
The more you laugh, the less you fret
The more you do unselfishly
The more you live abundantly
The more of everything you share
The more you’ll always have to spare
The more you love, the more you’ll find
That life is good and friends are kind
