GENERAL INFORMATION
FAREWELL AND THANK YOU
This month we have to say farewell to the Reverend Canon Dr Christopher Rutledge who is retiring and leaving St Mark’s, Talbot Village, having served that parish for 28 years. He will, as the parish magazine emphasizes, be greatly missed, not only at St Mark’s but also in the Deanery. We wish him, and his wife Susan, well, for their future. A farewell service is taking place at the church on Sunday, January 31st at 10.30 a.m.
POOLE PASSION PLAY 2010
This production will be taking place again next year, but this time it will be starting from St James’ Church in Poole Old Town and moving to Skinner Street United Reformed Church. Anybody who would like to be involved as an actor, or backstage worker, will be welcomed. No parts have yet been allocated, and many of those taking part last year are no long available. The producers say that “no experience is required”. Workshops are now taking place at Parkstone United Reformed Church in Commercial Road, near the Civic Centre, on Wednesdays each week, except for the third week in the month when the Workshops are on a Thursday instead. The times each week are 5.30 to 8 p.m. Further information is obtainable on 01202 730683.
A WALSINGHAM DAY
Described as a “unique experience of mission and celebration for all”, this will be at St Stephen’s Church in Bournemouth, on Saturday, January 30th, 2010 from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. The main speaker is Bishop Lindsay Urwin OGS on “Jesus…the Flesh and Bones of God” and the day gives an opportunity to find out why pilgrims go to Walsingham, named in a BBC poll as “the nation’s favourite religious place”. The day will include a Eucharist service, Service of Healing, talks, a film, discussion, exhibition and bookstall. Refreshments, including lunch, will be available. Further information can be obtained from Madeleine Hemsley on 01258 40778.
ALPHA COURSE STARTING IN BROADSTONE
St John the Baptist, the Parish Church of Broadstone, is running the Alpha course from Wednesday, January 13th 2010, for a period of 10 weeks, each session starting with an informal light meal at 7 p.m. Alpha is well known, having now been attended by over 11 million people worldwide since 1993, around 1.5 million in 2007 alone. It can be described as a simple and unthreatening approach to Christianity, and aims to answer basic questions such as “What am I doing here?” and “Who is Jesus?” There is a very easy-going approach. It is possible to learn about the Christian faith and have fun at the same time. Further information from the parish office 01202-697641 on weekdays 9.30 a.m. to 12 noon, or else ring Robert on 01202-695287. There is no charge for the course.
“TAKING CARE” OF CHILDREN
This is a training workshop for churches about the new vetting and barring scheme and other child safety issues involved in Child Protection. It will be at the Parkstone Christian Centre in Commercial Road, on Saturday, January 23rd from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Linda Naylor of Training Matters will be the leader and the cost is £5 to include a light lunch. Booking forms can be obtained from Faithworks Wessex at 35 Palmerston Road, Boscombe, BH1 4HN to whom cheques should be made payable.
CHRISTIANITY IN PUBLIC LIFE
This is the theme of a study day on Saturday, January 23rd hosted by the Bournemouth Town Centre Churches Council at Richmond Hill St Andrew’s United Reformed Church from 10.30 a.m. to 2.45 p.m. Speakers include Ann Widdecombe PC MP, the Head Teacher of the Bishop of Winchester School, Mr Paul Mckeown and the Section Commander of Bournemouth Central Police, Inspector Dean O’Connor. There will be a bookstall and an opportunity for discussion. You are advised to take your own packed lunch. No indication so far of cost, but we assume donations will be welcome. Further information from the Secretary of the Council, Mrs H Holmes on 01202 765602.
GRANTS FOR DORSET CHURCHES
A new charity, the Erskine-Muton Trust Fund [Reg Charity no. 1130199], has recently been established for churches in Dorset. The trustees will consider applications for grants in the order of £5-£10,000 for repairs, maintenance, and development of church buildings. It is anticipated that the fund will make grants each quarter, with the first distribution in March 2010. Application forms will be available shortly from christine.romano@salisbury.anglican.org: 01722 438650.
RECONSTRUCTING JESUS
Suppose someone were to say – as is not infrequently said – that “Jesus was a Jew, not a Christian’, what should be said in response? That he seems to have been acutely aware of the specialness of his people, which had been tested in the fires of religious and political conflict, is clear from the Gospels. That he knew and respected the two great religious institutions of his people, the Law and the Temple, also looks exceedingly likely. But the Law of Moses, like any other law, needed to be interpreted, and the Temple, just like any other religious shrine, was vulnerable and dependent on the quality of those who presided in it. And Jesus was a figure of conflict and controversy – there must have been something about him – maybe quite a few things – that made him, as one might say, “crucifiable”. What could those things possibly be?
Questions such as those combine to stimulate a quest – a quest for what may be known, via a sensitive and well-informed handling of the four Gospels, for some firm historical information that may enable us to reconstruct his overall profile. There must surely have been something special that made his God-centred movement the foundation of a world faith. And that is where Theology Quest and Questions comes in.
On ten consecutive Tuesday evenings in the new year, beginning on Tuesday, January 12th, we shall be putting together the pieces of the great puzzle of Jesus of Nazareth. In a striking phrase the great poet R S Thomas spoke of “a Nazarene nobody”, but that can’t be all there is to say. On those Tuesdays evenings (each lasts from 7 till 9 p.m.) we shall try to let “the Nazarene somebody” step out from the pages of those ancient documents.
The term’s work is free-standing, and we would be pleased to welcome anyone who would like to study these ever-absorbing issues. The cost is £60 for the term (concessions are available). If you would like to be involved, and would like some more information, please contact David Catchpole at Sarum College or on drc@sarum.ac.uk or anndavid@catchpole.fslife.co.uk.
THE WEEK OF PRAYER FOR CHRISTIAN UNITY
As in previous years, the Churches Together in Poole will be hosting a service for this week, and the special day is Sunday, January 24th at 6.30 p.m. at St Michael’s Church in Hamworthy.
“I was raised with a mistrust of Arabs” says Joseph Steinberg, Church Mission Society’s Director of Fundraising and Marketing, who happens to be Jewish. So what is he doing taking part in a “Reconciliation Tour” with a best friend called Tanas Alqassis, a Palestinian who was raised being persecuted by Israelis? People around the country have been hearing them talk about their message of reconciliation and how sharing Jesus leads to true justice. Joseph and Tanas will be in Hamworthy at the Service for the Week of Prayer to share their passion for a lasting peace in Palestine and also their common enthusiasm for motorcycling.
CELEBRATION OF MINISTRY
Milton and Blandford Deanery is holding a Celebration of Ministry Day on Saturday, May 15th which may be of interest to those who are prepared to travel to Blandford School. The times are 10.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. and entry and parking are free. It is a come and go as you please event but includes a talk and opportunity for discussion from Bishop Graham at 11.30 a.m. with the theme of “The ministry we need for the Mission we have”. Information and details of a Bible study preparation series, can be obtained from the Reverend Jimmy Hamilton-Brown on 01258 453939 or jumperhb@tiscali.co.uk.
SOME EVENTS WHICH MAY BE OF INTEREST:
JANUARY
Sunday, 3 – Christingle Service for the Children’s Society, St James’ Church, Poole, 11 a.m.
Christingle Service for the Children’s Society, St Clement’s Church, Newtown, Branksome, 11 a.m.
Epiphany Carol Service, Church of the Holy Angels, Lilliput, 3 p.m.
Monday, 4 - Bournemouth William Temple Association meets at the Marsham Court Hotel, for meal at 7 p.m. and talk at 8.10 p.m. Cost is £13.25 for meal, booked beforehand. Cost for talk and coffee only is £3.50. Richard Bush, for manager of Dorset and Bournemouth Social Services talks on “Quaker Faith in action”.
Prayer for Regeneration Area, 2 Stone Close, Harbour Reach, 8 p.m.
Sunday, 10 - Plough Sunday. (If you fancy attending a service with this theme, there is one at St George’s Church, Langton Matravers, at 3 p.m.)
Wednesday, 13 – Alpha Course begins at St John’s, Broadstone with a light meal at 7 p.m.
Monday, 18 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity begins and the East Poole group of churches has the theme of “Models of the Church”.
Service and simple lunch at 12.30 p.m. at St Luke’s Church, Parkstone.
Alpha Course begins at St Luke’s Church, Parkstone, at 7.30 p.m.
Tuesday, 19 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service and simple lunch at 12.30 p.m. at the Church of the Transfiguration, Canford Cliffs.
Wednesday, 20 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service and simple lunch at 12.30 p.m., at Parkstone URC.
Thursday, 21 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service and simple lunch at 12.30 p.m. at St Aldhelm’s Church, Branksome.
Friday, 22 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service and simple lunch at 12.30 p.m. at St Joseph’s RC Church, Bournemouth Road.
Saturday, 23 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Breakfast at 8.30 a.m. at All Saints Church, Branksome Park.
“Taking Care” session, Parkstone Christian Centre, 10 a.m. (see above)
“Christianity in Public Life” study day, Richmond Hill St Andrew’s URC, 10.30 a.m. (see above)
Sunday, 24 – United Service for Week of Prayer, St Michael’s, Hamworthy, 6.30 p.m. (see above) also St John’s Church, Broadstone, 6.30 p.m.
Monday, 25 – Week of Prayer for Christian Unity Service and simple lunch, 12.30 p.m., at Holy Angels Church, Lilliput.
Prayer for Regeneration Area, 2 Stone Close, Harbour Reach, 8 p.m.
Saturday, 30 – Men’s Breakfast, 9 a.m., St Michael’s Church Lounge, guest is Leslie Summers on a return visit.
Sunday, 31 – Education Sunday
FEBRUARY
Monday, 1 - Bournemouth William Temple Association meets at the Marsham Court Hotel, for meal at 7 p.m. and talk at 8.10 p.m. Cost is £13.25 for meal, booked beforehand. Cost for talk and coffee only is £3.50. The Reverend Dr June Boyce-Tiillman, former Professor at Winchester University speaks on “Unconventional Wisdom – Wisdom Theology in Today’s Culture”.
Saturday, 6 – Salisbury Diocesan Synod, St Nicholas’ Church, Corfe Mullen, 10 a.m.
Monday, 8 - Prayer for Regeneration Area, 2 Stone Close, Harbour Reach, 8 p.m.
Tuesday, 9 – Poole Deanery Synod, 7.30 p.m., St Michael’s Church, Hamworthy.
Wednesday, 17 – Ash Wednesday.
Monday, 22 - Prayer for Regeneration Area, 2 Stone Close, Harbour Reach, 8 p.m.
Sunday, 28 – Service marking the Centenary of the Guiding Movement, St Michael’s, Hamworthy, 10 a.m.
MARCH
Monday, 1 - Bournemouth William Temple Association meets at the Marsham Court Hotel, for meal at 7 p.m. and talk at 8.10 p.m. Cost is £13.25 for meal, booked beforehand. Cost for talk and coffee only is £3.50. Lieutenant Commander H Goulding, RN retired, speaks on “The Temples at Rugby – William Temple’s Work at Rugby School”.
Tuesday, 2 - Poole Deanery Standing Committee, Lytchett Minster Vicarage.
Friday, 5 – Women’s World Day of Prayer, with services compiled by women from Cameroon.
Monday, 8 - Prayer for Regeneration Area, 2 Stone Close, Harbour Reach, 8 p.m.
Sunday, 14 – Mothering Sunday
Monday, 22 - Prayer for Regeneration Area, 2 Stone Close, Harbour Reach, 8 p.m.
Sunday, 28 – Palm Sunday
(British Summer Time begins)
APRIL
Thursday, 1 – Maundy Thursday Service in the Cathedral
Friday, 2 – Good Friday
Sunday, 4 – Easter Day
Monday, 12 - Bournemouth William Temple Association meets at the Marhsam Court Hotel, for meal at 7 p.m. and talk at 8.10 p.m. Cost is £13.25 for meal, booked beforehand. Cost for talk and coffee only is £3.50. The Reverend Dr Ian Terry, Rector of Bournemouth Town Centre Parish speaks on “Spirituality in Primary Schools”.
MAY
Monday, 3 – Bank Holiday.
Saturday, 8 – Plant Sale, St John’s Church, Broadstone.
Monday, 10 - Bournemouth William Temple Association meets at the Marsham Court Hotel, for meal at 7 p.m., AGM and talk at 8.10 p.m. Cost is £13.25 for meal, booked beforehand. Cost for talk and coffee only is £3.50. The guest speaker is Canon Edward Probert, Chancellor of Salisbury Cathedral.
Thursday, 13 – Ascension Day.
Sunday, 23 - Pentecost
Saturday, 29 – Men’s Breakfast, 9 a.m., St Michael’s Church Lounge, with guest Michael McCabe about “Bibles into China”.
Sunday, 30 – Trinity Sunday.
Monday, 31 – Bank Holiday.
JUNE
Wednesday, 9 - Poole Deanery Synod, 7.30 p.m., St Peter’s Church, Parkstone.
Sunday , 20 – Father’s Day.
NOVEMBER
Thursday, 18 - Poole Deanery Synod, 7.30 p.m., St Dunstan’s Church, Upton.
posted by: Penny Elliott
Date: 12-01-2010
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pennyinf.poole@lineone.net