The Parish Church of St Andrew's, Medsteadwelcome | faith | services | events | news | archive | people | church | village | friends | location |
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The Parish Church of St Andrew's, Medsteadwelcome | faith | services | events | news | archive | people | church | village | friends | location |
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April - June 2006
The Da Vinci Code
PCC Meeting: 24 May
Carol Fuller
Spring Harvest
Safari Supper
Marathon Man
Annual Church Meeting
Ben's Easter Message
Parable of the Talents
PCC Meeting: 29 March
Ben's Sabbatical
Flower Festival
Social Events
The Villager
Refectory Duties
Moonwalk 2006
Rogation Walk
Light Music Concert
Jumble Sale
Cowslips
Quiz Night
Lenten Lunches 2006
Births, Deaths & Marriages
January-March 2006
October-December 2005
July-September 2005
April-June 2005
January-March 2005
October-December 2004
July-September 2004
April-June 2004
January-March 2004
November-December 2003
Anglicans Online
BBCi: Christian News
The Church of England Gazette
The Church of England Newspaper
Church Times Online
Diocese Of Winchester
Ekklesia
Ship of Fools
St. Andrew's website is:
In response to the hype surrounding the release of the film based on Dan Brown's best-selling book, the Church of England's website now features a new section: The Da Vinci Code: making your mind up which invites you to consider the facts - and the fictions - for themselves.
Richard Burridge, Dean of King's College, London, featured in the book writes: "One of The Da Vinci Code's appeals is that we all like secrets. But its claims about Jesus are cracked. In fact sometimes the real truth is stranger than fiction. Get exploring!"
The Christian Enquiry Agency (CEA) has also launched the scratch-for-truth project which aims to introduce people to the 'real Jesus'. 250,000 cards have been distributed to UK cinemas, where film-goers are invited to scratch to discover whether ten claims made in the novel are fact or fiction. They can also take up the offer of a free booklet: Cracking The Da Vinci Code by Revd. Mark Stibbe, which examines the ten claims in detail.
Jeff Bonser, CEA director, explains: "We want to set the record straight and introduce people to the real story of Jesus, Mary Magdalene and events surrounding the life of arguably the most influential figure in history."
Separately, Alpha's Nicky Gumbel has written a book in response to The Da Vinci Code and Alpha are placing themed promotional postcards in cinemas nationwide.
Author Dan Brown's website also includes more background to the book and a candid FAQ section. He writes: "Controversy and dialogue are healthy for religion as a whole. Religion has only one true enemy - apathy - and passionate debate is a superb antidote."
Winchester Cathedral, which features in the film, is hosting a programme of talks and discussions, as well as an exhibition, including an hour-long trail through the cathedral and a prayer labyrinth.
The Archdeacon of Winchester, John Guille, comments: "What we are saying is come and think through these things for yourselves. Think about the symbols that Dan Brown has used, but not with the spin that Dan Brown has put upon them."
Source: The Church Times
Related Links:
The Da Vinci Code, outreach resources for churches:
cpo.org.uk
thedavincicode.org.uk
The Parochial Church Council met on Wednesday, 24th May. As well as the usual business, your PCC discussed the following:
Our next PCC meeting is on Wednesday, 19th July and the next joint, Benefice, PCC meeting will be held on Wednesday, 25th October, both at 8.00pm in the Church Hall.
If you have any matters you would like discussed, please let our Secretary, Chris Tew, know.
As you may know, Carol was recently diagnosed as having breast cancer and underwent surgery on 26th April.
Carol would like to thank all those who have so kindly visited her or sent her messages of support. The operation was a success and she is now starting her first phase of chemotherapy.
Carol hopes to be well enough to receive visitors, but please telephone first to ensure she is at home and not at the clinic undergoing treatment.
She is sure that your prayers have helped her come to grips with the reality of her situation and would appreciate ongoing prayer support through the next phases of her treatment.
During Holy Week, Carol helped with a Retreat at Old Alresford Place. She found the experience spiritually uplifting and an opportunity to increase her knowledge of the Lord.
She is anxious to return to Old Alresford Place again in the future. However, the Centre is to close shortly for refurbishment and its future is somewhat obscure.
Please pray that such a wonderful facility for study and the revitalising of the spirit will continue to be available to those who want and need to use it.
Colin Fuller
A group from our benefice recently spent a week in Minehead at the annual Spring Harvest.
Originally launched in 1979 as a one-week event, Spring Harvest is the largest Christian conference in Europe. It's aim is to 'equip the church for action', encouraging Christians to think about and renew their faith.
We were extremely pleased to receive the following note from one of our younger participants:
"Spring Harvest was an amazing experience for me, I had a great time and Mum says I have come back a more thoughtful and caring person. Thousands come together at one venue and worship God. There is so much to do, with organised sessions relevant to all age groups. You can also use the Butlins facilities; the swimming pool and fun fair were visited a lot! I really had a wonderful time and recommend it to all."
Emily Magennis-Prior
If you are interested in attending Spring Harvest next April please talk to Ben soon, as demand is high and places have to be booked well in advance.
A firm and favourite part of Medstead's social calendar, our latest Safari Supper, a mobile dinner party with each course held at a different home, was held on Saturday, 6th May.
We were delighted to welcome 55 diners to the Church Hall at 6.30pm.
We started the Safari with a wonderful Pimms and then scattered ourselves to seven hosts for great starters, then on to new hosts for the main courses, new hosts again for desserts and finally to Chris and Annie Oulton's for cheese, coffee and delicious home-made florentines at 10.30pm.
Enormous thanks to all hosts and especially to Chris and Annie.
Through everyone's generosity over £720 has been added to St. Andrew's funds.
Malcolm Goodall, a regular at St. Andrew's, is running in the London Marathon on Sunday, 23 April and has kindly offered to be sponsored on behalf of the Kathryn Mercy Home in Devakottai.
If you would like to sponsor Malcolm, you may download a sponsorship and gift aid form.
The forms are also be available in each church in the Benefice, and directly from Ben.
Please complete the form, following the instructions provided, and return it to your nearest church.
Your donation could be worth even more to the Kathryn Mercy Home under the Gift Aid scheme, if you are a UK taxpayer and comply with the Gift Aid Declaration simply sign under the Gift Aid column.
Thank you, Malcolm, and good luck!
This year's Meeting of Parishioners and Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) was held on Tuesday, 18th April at 7.45pm in the Church Hall.
The Meeting of Parishoners elected the Churchwardens. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting received and actioned matters arising from reports by, amongst others, the Rector, Churchwardens, PCC, Finance, Fabric, FOSAC, the Church Hall, and the Music and Social Committees. It also elected other offices such as members of the PCC.
Highlights of the meeting were as follows:
Separately, we also now have a new Church Hall Bookings Secretary, Sue Sly, who may be contacted on 01420 564457. She replaces Elizabeth Tew who, after 13 years, has now put away her pen.
Related Links:
Annual Church Meeting 2005
Annual Church Meeting 2004
Some of you will know that I am completely obsessed with butterflies. I think they are amongst the most beautiful and wondrous of all God's creation and remain, for me at least, a constant delight.
When I became Honorary Chaplain to the Naomi House Children's Hospice some years ago, a post I held for some five years, I discovered that the butterfly was a national emblem of the children's hospice movement within this country.
This led me to design and have made my butterfly stole, as I call it, which I often wear for family services and at funerals. The butterfly is also an ancient Christian symbol for resurrection because the apparently 'dead' pupa, or chrysalis, splits apart for the fully-grown butterfly to emerge.
Caterpillars, once emerged from their eggs, 'enjoy' a limited experience of life. They are programmed to feed and store up energy for the forthcoming transformation.
If a caterpillar had any conscious thought, it might consider that its life as a caterpillar is all there is to life: here for a season, then into the tomb and that's that. Its outlook is strictly limited, its experience of this world limited to how far it can crawl without losing access to nourishment. Pretty boring, really! Then, on some subconscious command, it inters itself in a chrysalis and appears to have died.
I'm using words like 'inter' and 'bury' deliberately: some species even go so far as to form their pupas underground, to protect themselves from predators. After the required period, anything from two weeks to over-winter hibernation, the 'tomb' is rent asunder and out comes God's delicate handiwork!
The newly-emerged adult is capable of so much more than it was as a caterpillar. For one thing, it can fly! The form of existence opened up represents a complete transformation from its previous existence: a butterfly capable of conscious thought would be amazed by what has taken place!
As humans, we experience our mortal life in many ways. Some of us believe that this is all there is, but the rest are preparing to become 'butterflies'.
People in Christ's time knew nothing of DNA; neither, for that matter, do butterflies. But, if they did, they'd know that the essence of what they were as caterpillars is present in the adult.
Life has moved up to an altogether more advanced state, but two things are clear. Firstly, what they were is present in what they have become; secondly, there's no going back. This holds true for other life-forms, yet some people find it hard to believe that the same applies for humans. What a surprise they have in store!
Jesus was entombed after his death on the cross, but his 'chrysalis' couldn't hold him, either, and in due time he burst forth to new life: not the old one - there's no going back - but being of the same essence in his new life as in his old.
We sing in the hymn, Just as I am:
"here for a season, then above;
O Lamb of God, I come!"
This year we will be holding the following Easter services and events:
Palm Sunday, 9th April: Family Service, 11.00am.
10th, 11th, 12th April: Compline, 7.30pm. This beautiful service is a wonderful way to end a stressful day.
Maundy Thursday, 13th April: Holy Communion, 7.30pm.
Good Friday, 14th April: The Last Hour: Meditation on the Cross, 2.00-3.00pm.
Easter Day, 16th April: Family Communion, 11.00am.
Happy Easter to you all.
Ben Flenley
Comments? email Ben
Our talents should be used in the service of the Church. The 2006 Parable of the Talents starts on Easter Day. Make sure you collect your £10 from Mary Spinks and see if you can make it grow into £20...or £50.... or even £100 for the church!
We will be gathering in the harvest of our talents during September.
In past years our talents have included: coffee mornings, cream teas, jam making, handmade cards, plant sales and straight donations but the real fun is getting together to increase our tenners!
The 2005 Parable of the Talents raised a record total of £2,117.85, can we do even better this year?
Mary Spinks
The Parochial Church Council met on Wednesday, 29th March. As well as the usual business, your PCC discussed the following:
Our next meetings are on Tuesday, 18th April, immediately after the APCM and on Wednesday, 24th May, at 8.00pm in the Church Hall.
The next Joint PCC Meeting is on Wednesday 10th May, at 8.00pm in the Church Hall.
If you have any matters you would like discussed, please let our Secretary, Chris Tew, know.
Ben is taking a well-earned Sabbatical for three months from June 1st to August 31st, 2006.
If, during his absence on study leave, you require the services of priest, please contact The Revd. Hugh Cocksedge or one of our Churchwardens.
We will be holding a Flower Festival and Art Exhibition in the Church over the weekend of 24th-25th June
The theme will be 80 Glorious Years: celebrating the life of Her Majesty the Queen, Elizabeth II and it is hoped the various arrangements will cover her life, interests and events during her life.
If you would like to help in any way, either by arranging flowers, stewarding over the weekend or providing some sponsorship to offset expenses, please contact Gill.
There will be refreshments in the Church Hall during the Flower Festival weekend.
If you are willing to make a cake or scones, please contact either Sharon Blackshaw or Jill Davis.
Your assistance will be greatly valued.
Highlights of St. Andrew's social events for the second half of 2006 include:
Flower Festival & Art Exhibition:
24-25th June
Hog Roast: 22nd July
Autumn Walk: 16th September
Race Night: 7th October
Jumble Sale: 11th November
Recital: 26th November
Please see our Events page for more details.
The Social Committee is also eager to recruit a few more members for its work. If you are interested, please contact either Geoff or Sharon.
Sharon Blackshaw
Our monthly Benefice magazine, The Villager is looking for a new Editor, as the current Editor is stepping down.
It is two years since the last search, so the hope is someone will be keen to take on this rewarding and challenging role.
Please contact a Churchwarden or one of the Villager team if you are interested.
Maria Fordyce
The next duty for the St Andrew's team to serve refreshments at the Winchester Cathedral Refectory is on Thursday, June 15th.
If you would like to join us, please sign the sheet at the back of the church or talk to Jill Davis.
We are looking for more helpers, so please do consider volunteering for this important contribution to the Cathedral's activities.
Yes, I know I said I wouldn't do it again, but I am female, after all, and therefore I have the right to change my mind!!
On Saturday, 20th May in Hyde Park, Kathryn and I, along with 15,000 other brightly decorated bra-wearing women took part in this year's moonwalk, an all-night, 26.2 mile, walking marathon through the streets of London.
Amazingly, the rain held off all night, so power walking conditions were perfect. Kathryn and her friend Sue had a later start time than mine, so I went off half an hour before them.
I was determined to better my time from last year, which I did by over 2 hours! We are all extremely proud of ourselves and have wonderful medals to show for it.
Thank you to everyone who sponsored us for the very worthwhile causes of Breast Cancer Research and Cancer Care.
Kerry Prior
On Rogation Sunday, by ancient tradition, the faithful beat the bounds of the parish, invoking God to bless the fields and the crops.
This year's walk was organised by St. Andrew's and took place, amidst the wettest drought in living memory, on Sunday, 21st May.
Eighteen walkers from all four parishes, accompanied by five enthusiastic dogs, followed a beautiful route through Medstead's countryside, pausing at suitable points along the way, including a little-known Medstead vineyard, for prayers, hymns and blessings.
Around halfway, we broke for a barn tea, with sandwiches, brownies provided by Lasham Sunday School, flapjack, scones and cakes at the home of Marguerite and Logan Colbeck, finishing the circular route back at the Church Hall.
As all four parishes have now hosted the walk, next year's, scheduled for Saturday, 12th May, is planned to cover the whole benefice, with breakfast, lunch and tea provided!
We also plan to invite Michael, Bishop Of Winchester - himself a keen hiker - to join us for our most ambitious walk yet.
Ben Flenley & Kerry Prior
Chris Wibrew delighted us all with his concert of light music, performed on the New Yamaha Tyros II organ, in Medstead Village Hall on Tuesday, 9th May.
Thanks to the support of all those who attended, we were able to raise £350 for the Kathryn Mercy Home in Devakottai, South India.
We are pleased to tell you our latest Jumble Sale, on Saturday, 8th April, proved more popular than ever with bargain hunters, raising a record £800 for church funds.
Many thanks to everyone for your co-operation and assistance, without which this excellent result would not have been achieved.
Special thanks also go to Paul who took on the task of disposing of the surplus items.
Our next Jumble Sale is at 2.00pm on Saturday, 18th November, again in the Church Hall.
Mary & Geoff Spinks
Our one-time sister church, St James at Wield, has invited us to see the cowslips whilst enjoying refreshments and a Cream Tea.
Cowslip Day will take place on Saturday, 8th April, between 10.30am and 4pm at Blue Ridge Farm, Lower Wield, by kind permission of Mr & Mrs R R Wells.
Refreshments will be served from 10.30am and cream teas from 2pm-3.30pm. There will also be a plant stall.
Entry is £1 and all proceeds will go to St. James' Church, Wield, and the Wield WI.
This year's quiz night took place on Friday, 31st March in the Church Hall and was another sell out, with 80 people taking part in 13 teams.
Thanks are due to everyone involved, but especially to Pam and Ken Kercher for challenging our grey cells with their clever questions, and to Logan Colbeck for gently keeping us under control as questionmaster.
Thanks also to the Social Committee who put a lot of effort into ensuring a great night for all participants.
Well done to the aptly named Fantastics team, who won by a small margin from Desless, followed by The MPs.
A very enjoyable evening raised around £390 for church funds.
One of St. Andrew's major charity fund raising events is our annual series of Lenten Lunches. This year we took a record £1020, which means each of the charities we supported will receive £170. The charities supported were:
1st March: Practical Action.
10th March: Foundation Study into Infant Death.
18th March: Treloar Trust
24th March: Medstead School's Kings School project in Burundi
30th March: Motor Neurone Disease Association
3rd April: Hampshire Association for the Care of the Blind
Many thanks for to all those who joined us for lunch and donated so generously, made the soup and ran the kitchen.
Mary Spinks
Val and Peter Prior are pleased to announce the safe arrival of their new grandson Nathan, who was born on 26th June to Karen and Bradley Prior, weighing in at 8lbs 4oz.
Congratulations to Gill and Chris Siddall on the arrival of their 9lb 2oz grandson Edward, who was born on 19th June.
We also congratulate Edward's parents, Sally and Andrew Siddall, who produced this superb extension to the family.
May God bless Edward throughout his life.
It was with great pleasure that, as part of our Family Communion service on May 7th, we welcomed Cassandra Jayne Lucie Roger to be baptised at St. Andrew's.
Cassandra is the daughter of Amanda and Emmanuel Roger and granddaughter of Pamela and Malcolm Goodall.
It is with sadness we report the death, on 30th March 2006, of long time local resident Thomas (Tom) Priscott.
Tom was born on 9th June 1920 and many will recall he worked for the then Alton Rural District Council and subsequently the East Hampshire District Council. After taking early retirement he taught many typing and shorthand at the Alton Education Centre.
Our prayers and thoughts are with his wife, Margaret, his two daughters and their grandchildren.
May light perpetual shine upon him.