News Stories
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Summer Events across the benefice
Summer is here and with it the usual list of events across the benefice aimed at getting people together, building the community, raising money and above all enjoying themselves.Two events to note and watch this space as there will be more to come are:-
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Friday 1st October - Autumn Concert at Tolland Church, with the Taunton School Choir.
(more details to follow or contact Beverlie Atkins)
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| Community Coffee Morning Come along to the at the Waterrow Church Hall for a morning of catching up with the gossip and village news with friends over a sociable coffee (or tea) and cake. Proceeds in aid of Chipstable Parish Community Hall” Face painting for the children (or young at heart) Plant Stall, Bric a Brac and Book Stall Cake Stall (including guess the weight) |  |
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26th July Licensing Service for David Widdows
26th July was a special day at Wivey and the Hills and over 300 people crowded into St Andrews for the licensing service of David Widdows our new Priest in Charge and Rector Designate. This was a fantastic service supported musically by the combined choirs and the St Andrews Church Band followed by nibbles and drinks. Hopefully it gave David a taste of a Wivey welcome and showed him the enthusiasm and passion of the family of the church in his new benefice. We welcome him with open hearts and minds.
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Weddings and Baptisms!
Summer seems to have been a busy period and in St Andrews we were blessed with a wedding and double baptism which was officiated by Helene Steiner from Milverton. We welcome these news member to our church family both young and old and hope they will grow with us in faith.
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July 2010 - Chill Refresh and Revive with SNAZ at Wimbleball Lake
”On 3-4 July SNAZ spent 24 hours away at Wimbleball Lake, camping overnight & enjoying the sunshine. The weekend’s theme was ‘Chill, Refresh, Revive’ and we re-told some of the stories of Jesus and followers beside the lake. Helene Stainer joined us on Saturday night as we shared an agape meal on the lakeside.” The photos below tell the story from our happy campers with their cool blankets, to the tent city erected for one night and relaxing by the lake.
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Pet Service at Tolland
A firm favorite with the local residents both human and canine alike the annual pet service was held in Tolland Church during June. The article below for the parish magazine written by one of the participants (!) sums up the event perfectly. Watch this space for news of other alternative services as they happen throughout the benefice| It was a lovely sunny day and I awoke excited and full of anticipation for what I consider the best day of the year - the pet service where in past years, I have had much fun with other canines of the village and surrounding area. This year dogs were again well represented with terriers (3 of us) in a slight majority over collies (2), jack russells (1) and black labs (1). I kept my distance as have a tendency to argue with the latter but although I say it myself I was rather better behaved than two years ago when I slipped my collar and chased the large but friendly Irish wolfhound around the graveyard during the service… Brother John officiated. Nice chap, talked about the unconditional love us pets give our owners which of course is what we are all about and it‘s nice to have that bit of public recognition. | We then trooped outside and he came around and blessed us all individually. What’s more didn’t seem to mind a variety of welcomes from us canines - mine was in the form of a slobbery lick which always goes down well. Gertie was a bit noisy in Church but she likes a good sing-song so no-one much minded. I had my eye on that very good-looking jack russell but she departed before I could have a chat, maybe next year? With thanks to all the owners for taking us along for our special day and to Brother John of course for conducting such a fun service. We’ll be back for more! Archiebald Arthur (of Tolland) |
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Family Services Autumn 2010
In exciting developments a full program of activities are planned for the Autumn run of family services in Wiveliscombe.- September - Zambian exchange students singing, praising and all worships together
- October - Puppet Ministry from St Andrews Church Cullompton
- November - not part of the family service but something new is coming!!!!
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Baptism HARVEY BATTEN
In June we were blessed with another Baptism young Harvey Batten was welcomed into our church family in a lovely service to a full church led by Ian Ainsworth Smith. Welcome to the family Harvey may your future life and member of the family of the church be rewarding and full of happiness.
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Happy Birthday to the Church 2010 "Pentecost in St Andrews"
Celebrating the traditional church birthday in St Andrews was done is the usual way of decorating (and eating) a cake. With many thanks to Anne Summerfield who prepared the cake little hands made light work of decorating the celebration cake for Pentecost in the traditional red colour. Childrens' activities that day were also slightly different with a party theme with balloons and party games.And whilst the children decorated the cake it wasn't all them that polished it off with the rest of the church joining in the party by eating it!
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2010 Spring Harvest "Different Eyes"
Spring Harvest this year was a popular place for Wiveyites. The Swan family joined Cullompton Church and spend week 2 there to be joined for the day by a number of the SNAZ crew plus old friends back from university. To complete the gathering Stuart and Katie Smith also came along for one of the evening celebrations.Everybody enjoyed their time there sharing worship, fun, laughter and education with thousands of other Christians. If anybody is interested in Spring Harvest in the future (and it is an event that is fully accessible to all) check out their fantastic website!
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2010 Palm Sunday Festivities - He is the Messiah!
Celebrating Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on the back on a Colt the son of a Donkey thus fulfilling the Old Testament Prophesy from Zechariah “See your king come to you, righteous and having salvation, gentle and riding on a Donkey, on a Colt, the son of a Donkey” the crowds of Wivey gathered on a cold and what seemed like a very early Sunday morning to walk with our visitor donkeys Honey and Jenny. Following brief words by Alison Vercoe the choir and members of the congregation both young and old enjoying making the journey from the square to the church where they were welcomed in.
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St Andrews PCC 2010
Continuing to provide support for the St Andrews whilst we are without and incumbent priest the St Andrews PCC were reelected in March in an lively AGM chaired by Dixon Luxton which was attended by many non PCC members. Everybody will be pleased to note that all positions are filled and there are no changes to the general personnel so hopefully the excellent service shall continue as usual.
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Baptism JAMIE LEE HANNAFORD
Babies, Babies, Babies they just keep on coming at St Andrews and in March we celebrated the baptism of another Jamie Lee Hannaford who was joined by his family including his big brother who proudly help his candle for him. Welcome to the family Jamie!
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STOP PRESS ......... Appointment of Priest-in-charge and Rector designate for our Benefice Parishes of Wiveliscombe with Langley Marsh, Chipstable with Raddington, Huish Champflower, Clatworthy, Tolland and Brompton Ralph.
We are delighted to announce that the Revd David Widdows has been appointed by the Bishop as Priest-in-charge and Rector designate for our Benefice of Wiveliscombe and The Hills.
David is currently the Senior Chaplin at Lee Abbey in Devon http://www.leeabbey.org.uk/devon/ and will be coming with his wife Becky to live and minister amongst us in July. Many of you have already had an opportunity to meet with David and Becky when they visited and stayed in the Benefice last month. They both felt a strong call to come and serve here and we believe we are going to be enormously blessed by their ministry.
David’s institution will take place at St Andrew’s on Monday 26th July, 7pm with the Bishop of Taunton and you are all invited to be part of this special service of welcome.
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SNAZ Programme Spring 2010
SNAZ is for young people 11-18 (school year 7+) and run by youth leaders from St Andrew’s Church, Wiveliscombe and St Michael’s Church, Milverton.
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First Baptism of 2010 - Ruan
Christmas and the fact that we do not have a vicar does not stop the churn of Baptisms at St Andrews and on the January 3rd little Ruan was baptised as a member of the church family by an old friend the Rev Andrews Norris formerly of Milverton.
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December 09 - Family Service
As is now traditional at St Andrews the last family service the All Sorts children get to have a go and are led by Alison Vercoe in delivery of a Christmas play. Challenged this year by a much younger cast Alison went with a simple nativity play which was enjoyed by all and really set off the start of the Christmas season of services.
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St Andrew's Church Christmas Bazaar - 18th December 2009
Food drink, music, shopping, entertainment and a warm church welcomed a full church just prior to Christmas. A good time was had by all and much needed monies were raised for the church.
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All Sorts Party - 13/12/09
The Christmas party session is now on and all our groups are celebrating in their own way. Sundays All Sorts is no exception and they held their party on the 13th December with 8 children attending a special session with games, plays and food! Sunday All Sorts is held every Sunday during term time during the main part of the service for 5-11 year olds, everybody is welcome.
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Posada Family 2009 Benefice Tour - 2 weeks on the road (13/12/2009)
After a week spent traveling new abodes and visiting the dizzy heights that can only be experienced in Tolland the Poasda family have returned to Wivvey and the home of the Smiths for a brief respite but the journey doesn't end there they are straight back out to the hills tonight to continue their epic tour.
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Posada Family 2009 Benefice Tour - 1 week on the road (6/12/2009)
So far the journey has been short as they have traveled around Wiveliscombe. They have so far visited Nordens Meadow, Lion D'Anger, Culverhead Lodge and tonight are being looked after in Maundowm before traveling tomorrow to Tolland.
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The Posada Family
Our set of wooden nativity figures have now begun their journey around the Benefice. They left St Andrew's with the Amphlett family at the Advent Carol service on 29th November and are planning to visit a different home every night. Check back here for photo updates of the grand benefice tour.
The Posada Family is a great way to get to know your fellow church members you collect the family and invite the next family into your house the next evening to continue the journey. There is a fantastic text that goes with the family which is said as the link is made. For the text and more information please click here.
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Christmas Event ........18th December 2009
For all of your Christmas shopping needs as well as a thoroughly enjoyable evening over a glass of wine and a mince pie please come along to the St Andrew's Church Christmas Bazaar.
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The advert is in!!! - December 2009
After what has seemed like an age since the Owens left the advert for a new priest in charge has appeared in the Church times. With a closing date for applicants of the 11th January we'd better hope and pray that people realise what a great opportunity we have here in Somerset. The final comments a "GSOH and reversing skills" are very relevant give
n the width of the country lanes that link our rural churches! For those that are interested the Benefice Profile which gives more details on the vacancy can be found here.
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Remembrance Services - November 2009
On the 8th November many of churches held remembrance services this service at Chipstaple was one of many such moving occasions and we draw together as a country to remember.
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8th November - St Andrew's Baptism
A glorious welcome to the church family was given to Ethan and Elizabeth at St Andrews on the 8th November. The service on the 8th October was led by the Rev Josie Harrison and was well attended by the family and the congregation.
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8 young people confirmed at St Michael’s Milverton
Congratulations to the 8 young people who were confirmed by Bishop Peter Maurice on the 29th October at St Michael’s Church in Milverton. In the lead up to the special service the group of young people met over 6 weeks in Cotford St Luke, giving them the opportunity to explore their faith in God and step of confirmation together, with sessions led by Rev Alison Norris, Rev Helene Stainer & Andy Levett. The young people come from various churches in the Deanery—St Peter & St Paul Runnington, All Saints Rockwell Green, St Andrew’s Wiveliscombe and St Michael’s Milverton — and we celebrate with them in taking this step of faith
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11th October 2009 - St Andrew's Harvest Festival
Cakes, tea and an aution of produce brought in waves of additional visitors to the St Andrew's Harvest Festival on the 11th October. Led by Ian Ainsworth Smith the traditional serves was very well attended and most people stayed behind for coffee cakes, a friendly chat and the chance to take home some of the local produce. As part of the Operation Christmas Child initive childrens and adults made up a shoebox of childrens gifts to send to children across the world.
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5th October 2009 - New Lay Reader
After what has probably seemed like an eternity training Vigdis Adams has now been licensed as a Lay Reader for the Wiveliscombe Benefice joining a relieved Martin Valuks who for several years has been our only Reader. Vigdis was joined on her big day by friends and family including supporters from both Chipstaple and Wiveliscombe parishes. We all thank Vigdis for joining our leadership team and wish her well as starts to support more of our services.
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St Andrew's Parish Profile Now Available!!!
After much though and prayer the Parish Profile for St Andrew’s and St Luke’s has now been prepared and can be found on our year of opportunity page. For those of you that don’t know what a Parish Profile is it sets out what the congregation thinks of it self to a potential new priest. It also sets out what the congregation feels are their strengths, weaknesses and hopes together with what they are looking for a new Priest to do. An important document which will sell the church to potential new priests it will eventually be brought together with the profiles from the other parishes to form a benefice profile. Lets hope that the profile will attract the sort of priest that will serve all of our requirements!
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The hunt for a new church leader goes on
For an update on how we are getting on searching for a new church leader please check out our year of opportunity page.
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New Website - 23rd September
After much prayer, thought, work and patience with an exceedingly frustrating piece of software I have managed to put together what I consider to be an acceptable website for the church in Wiveliscombe and the Hills going forward into a new era. It isn't perfect I grant you and there are many things which could be done better. If anybody has anything to add or make suggestions for what they want please e-mail me.... Alan