Mothers’ Union: Prayers for Marriage and Family Life

Mothers’ Union members in Ringwood will be praying for Marriage and Family Life in the Lady Chapel at the Parish Church.

All are welcome to come along for this short time of prayer during National Marriage Week.

Find out more about marriage and Marriage Week at the Marriage Week website.

This is no ordinary time

Dear Friends

As we are ‘sent out’ at the end of the Candlemas service (the grand finale to our Christmas and Epiphany celebrations) we enter the first (and shorter) of two phases in the Church Year known as ‘ordinary time’. That is quite an ironic name for it when we realise that the times ahead for us – not least in our own parish – are anything but ordinary! Some will surely cry: “We’ve only just begun to think about new patterns of services (and who knows where all that will lead!), and already there are rumours of the PCC beginning to think about a new stewardship campaign, and a new ‘mission action plan’… Oh, how we long for some ordinary time!”

It’s true: the times ahead are full of perplexing challenges – but also of exciting new possibilities. One of the latter is that Bishop Tim, (as we can now call him, following his consecration at St Paul’s Cathedral on 25 January), will be coming among us in April as Bishop of Winchester. Significantly, he comes from being General Secretary of CMS, the Church Mission Society.

In the consecration service the archbishop says these words: “Bishops are ordained to be shepherds of Christ’s flock and guardians of the faith of the apostles, proclaiming the gospel of God’s kingdom and leading his people in mission.” We will therefore be especially blessed by Bishop Tim’s experience of mission throughout the worldwide church, enriching our own understanding of what mission is and how mission works.

Bishop Tim has already declared that his vision for our Diocese is that we should be “Living the Mission of Jesus”. As 2012 unfolds no doubt he will take every opportunity to communicate that vision to us in greater detail. In Ringwood Parish we shall probably need to adapt our own plans and projects, perhaps quite radically, and maybe even quite often, to ensure that we are following the lead already being given by our bishop.

We do well to prepare for Bishop Tim’s new ministry among us by thinking deeply and prayerfully about what it should mean for us as a parish to more authentically “live the mission of Jesus”. I find it helpful to think of the church’s mission as our witness to that great movement of divine love in which God the Father sent his beloved Son as the saviour of the world. Jesus said to his disciples “as the Father has sent me, so I send you”. Bishop Tim’s consecration continues the great succession of the church’s mission from those apostles – the first to be sent by Christ. Let us all pray for him as he prepares to lead us in mission.

Ash Wednesday falls on 22 February. Let’s use that occasion to make ourselves ready to move with confidence out of “ordinary time” and into the season of Lent. May we all be willing to be led by the Spirit, as Jesus himself was, into a place outside our “comfort zones” and pray for grace to withstand the temptations of the world, the flesh, and the devil in order that we may “live the mission of Jesus”.

David Miell

Consultation on Pattern of Services

Thanks to all who have returned questionnaires. The PCC would like to present its proposals for the new pattern of parish services at a special meeting in the Parish Church on Saturday 18 February at 10.00am.

All are welcome to come and hear the proposals, to ask questions and to comment on them.

Looking after the Church

January has been a very busy month for repairs and maintenance at the Parish Church. The lock to the Vicar’s vestry door finally gave up after several months of being temperamental, and Peter arranged with Ian Dods, the locksmith for it to be replaced. If you have an old key to the Vicar’s vestry, it will no longer work! So please let me or Peter know if you need a new one.

The Parish Rooms committee raised a couple of concerns about the churchyard behind the church. Firstly, there is a very large bay tree whose branches are starting to encroach on to the Rooms roof, and which causes blockages in the gutters. The care of the churchyard lies with the Town Council and their tree surgeon has recommended that the tree be cut right back and then the re-growth managed to keep it in tidy shape. This idea had unanimous approval from the church committee, so I am now in the process of getting faculty permission which we must have before the council can go ahead. The other concern raised was that the footpath at the back of the church is extremely dark at night time, and really needs some more lighting. It would be very difficult to dig the trench needed for electrical cables, so we are investigating the possibility of solar powered lights, and I’m currently waiting for suggestions from the Diocese’s lighting consultant about this.

You may have noticed that our church notice boards are very out of date, and we are actively investigating replacements. We have found a company – The Church Notice Board Company! – who are very good, and will place an order this month. At the moment, this will be for the parish church only, but I hope that St John’s and St Paul’s committees may decide to put up new boards in the same style, so that we have a parish ‘brand’ with greater visibility to townspeople.

And then there are the windows. I mentioned last month that I was awaiting a report from Salisbury Cathedral Stained Glass. I’ve now received this, and the repairs needed are quite significant, as expected. Repairs to the church will cost some £14,000 and to the tower and ringing chamber, a further £7,000. We do have sufficient reserves, which are restricted for the fabric of the church, which can be used to cover these costs, but are also investigating grants and other sources of funding. We do intend to press on at full speed with the repairs. Advance warning: this will mean some sections of the churchyard will have to be cordoned off to avoid danger from falling masonry or glass.

Now that the Christmas and New Year festivities are behind us, our thoughts turn quite naturally to… our annual meetings and elections. I know that many people find the various processes quite confusing, and I hope I can simplify them over the next few months.

Let’s start with the Church committees. Each of our three churches has a committee which has delegated authority from the PCC to deal with matters of routine house-keeping and maintenance. Each committee has a treasurer who takes care of financial matters and a secretary to take minutes of meetings. Church committees generally meet once every two months. Anyone who is on the Electoral Roll can be elected to the committee of the church where they regularly worship.

Each church has an AGM during April and the dates will be published in due course. At the AGM the committee members for the year ahead are elected. If you would like to stand for election, you should complete a nomination form. You must ask two other members of your church to nominate and second you, and they must complete the form where indicated. You cannot nominate another person without their agreement. All posts are re-elected every year, so, if you are on a church committee this year, and you would like to continue, you must submit a nomination form. There is no automatic re-election of existing committee members. Pass the completed form to me or Peter. All nomination forms must be received before the AGM begins. If there are more people wishing to stand than places available on the committee, there will be a vote during the AGM. Being on a church committee is very rewarding and an excellent way of becoming more involved with your church. Do please think and pray about standing.

At the Parish Church and St John’s AGMs deputy churchwardens are also elected. Each has two; St Paul’s doesn’t have any deputy wardens. As with the church committees, re-election isn’t automatic, and a deputy churchwarden must be nominated, seconded and elected each year. If you would like to stand, the nomination form is available is enclosed in the Parish magazine, or is available from the Parish Office (office@ringwoodparish.org.uk). The form should be completed as before and passed to myself or Peter. Again, this must be done before the AGM begins.

Pre-Lent Lunch

The 2012 Pre-Lent Lunch will take place in the Parish Rooms. Juice will be provided, but bring your own wine if you like.

Tickets are £5.50 each. Contact office@ringwoodparish.org.uk for further details.

Marketplace: Resourcing your Family, Children and Youth Ministry

Marketplace 2012 will take place at St. Mary’s Church, Eastrop, Basingstoke RG21 7PZ.

Workshops include:

• Running a midweek group
• Bridging the gap with unchurched children and young people
• Top ten top tips for youth ministry
• Working outside the church walls

For further details see the Diocese of Winchester website and contact office@ringwoodparish.org.uk.

Afternoon Mothers’ Union: Wave of Prayer

The Wave of Prayer is an offering of prayer from and for Mothers’ Union around the world. It is something that concerns every member as all take part in prayer for Mothers’ Union in each diocese of the Anglican Communion in turn. Specific days in the year are therefore allocated to each diocese when prayers are focused on their work and needs.

The Ringwood Mothers’ Union meets at the Parish Church.

Poulner Players presents ‘Calamity Jane’

Poulner Players presents its pantomime, ‘Calamity Jane’.

The story follows the adventures of Calamity, a Lancashire lass who has travelled to Silver Creek, Texas to find her long lost brother. Unfortunately he is no more, due to an accident with a brewery wagon, though he didn’t feel a thing!

However, his son, Calamity’s nephew, The Milky Bar Kid and his zany friends make her feel welcome and we follow her story as she is mistakenly kidnapped by some hapless bandits and faces the Indian renegade warrior, Geronimo.

For more details, see the Poulner Players website.

Tickets

• Evening: £8.00 (under 15: £6.00)
• Matinee: £7.50 (under 15: £5.50)
• Family: £25 (2 adults + 2 children, Wed or Thu eve only)

Tickets are available from the Box Office at Ringwood Fabrics in the High Street from 23 January.

Poulner Players presents ‘Calamity Jane’

Poulner Players presents its pantomime, ‘Calamity Jane’.

The story follows the adventures of Calamity, a Lancashire lass who has travelled to Silver Creek, Texas to find her long lost brother. Unfortunately he is no more, due to an accident with a brewery wagon, though he didn’t feel a thing!

However, his son, Calamity’s nephew, The Milky Bar Kid and his zany friends make her feel welcome and we follow her story as she is mistakenly kidnapped by some hapless bandits and faces the Indian renegade warrior, Geronimo.

For more details, see the Poulner Players website.

Tickets

• Evening: £8.00 (under 15: £6.00)
• Matinee: £7.50 (under 15: £5.50)
• Family: £25 (2 adults + 2 children, Wed or Thu eve only)

Tickets are available from the Box Office at Ringwood Fabrics in the High Street from 23 January.

Poulner Players presents ‘Calamity Jane’

Poulner Players presents its pantomime, ‘Calamity Jane’.

The story follows the adventures of Calamity, a Lancashire lass who has travelled to Silver Creek, Texas to find her long lost brother. Unfortunately he is no more, due to an accident with a brewery wagon, though he didn’t feel a thing!

However, his son, Calamity’s nephew, The Milky Bar Kid and his zany friends make her feel welcome and we follow her story as she is mistakenly kidnapped by some hapless bandits and faces the Indian renegade warrior, Geronimo.

For more details, see the Poulner Players website.

Tickets

• Evening: £8.00 (under 15: £6.00)
• Matinee: £7.50 (under 15: £5.50)
• Family: £25 (2 adults + 2 children, Wed or Thu eve only)

Tickets are available from the Box Office at Ringwood Fabrics in the High Street from 23 January.

Poulner Players presents ‘Calamity Jane’

Poulner Players presents its pantomime, ‘Calamity Jane’.

The story follows the adventures of Calamity, a Lancashire lass who has travelled to Silver Creek, Texas to find her long lost brother. Unfortunately he is no more, due to an accident with a brewery wagon, though he didn’t feel a thing!

However, his son, Calamity’s nephew, The Milky Bar Kid and his zany friends make her feel welcome and we follow her story as she is mistakenly kidnapped by some hapless bandits and faces the Indian renegade warrior, Geronimo.

For more details, see the Poulner Players website.

Tickets

• Evening: £8.00 (under 15: £6.00)
• Matinee: £7.50 (under 15: £5.50)
• Family: £25 (2 adults + 2 children, Wed or Thu eve only)

Tickets are available from the Box Office at Ringwood Fabrics in the High Street from 23 January.