United Benefice of Stanton, Hopton,
Market Weston, Barningham & Coney Weston
Upcoming Events and Notices
Deanery Healing Course
Deanery Healing Course which has been devised by the Christian Healing Mission (CHM). I have accompanied Peter Gibbs to CHM in London for two of their courses. John Ryeland from CHM has also led a service for us at Hepworth and Peter has previosuly led this course at Wattisfield. Peter Gibbs will also be leading the six week course at Pakenham. Those who are interested in healing will find this a really interesting, gentle and biblical approach to the topic of healing. The course uses a short DVD presentation along with notes/worksheet. Most sessions only last an hour to an hour and fifteen minutes - depends on how long the discussion lasts. Please promote the course if you can - thank you.
The Martin Room, St Mary's, Church Hill, Pakenham, IP31 2LN
Tuesdays, 10th January to 14th February 2012, 7.30pm - 8.45pm
"Letting Jesus Heal"
The six sessions cover:
Being open to the love of God, Experiencing Jesus
Faith and power in prayer, Creating a ministry time
Inner healing, Barriers to healing
More info & bookings:
Peter Gibbs, 07553173826, email: gibbspdh@hotmail.com
or Revd John Fulton, 01359 250285, jwfulton@btinternet.com
The Christian Healing Mission
Helping you find God
The 6 week Course has been devised by CHM who say:
"Over the past few years we have come to see healing as something that flows from being in the presence of Jesus. If you think about it, just about the only thing that the healing stories of the Gospels have in common is the fact that Jesus was there!"
The Christian Healing Mission 210 Shepherds Bush Road London W6 7NJ
Confirmation Classes 2012
Baptism is possibly something that we can all understand-
"Faith is the gift of God to his people. In baptism the Lord is adding to our number those whom he is calling". These are the opening words of the baptism service. But what is confirmation?
At confirmation we are saying yes to Jesus' call to follow him on our journey through life, we are confirming our faith in him. Parents and godparents will have said yes for us if we were baptised as infants, but confirmation allows us to say yes ourselves. We have all had the experience of getting lost. This can happen because we have either no map or a very poor one. For me confirming our faith in Jesus is like deciding to travel with a really accurate map throughout life.
If you would like to learn more about baptism and confirmation please contact me and I will happily explore this with you. The deanery is holding a Confirmation service in June 2012.
In the story of Jesus' baptism we should make his story our own, and indeed in our own baptism, we too should expect the fresh energy of the Spirit and the quiet voice which reminds us of God's amazing, affirming love and the path of vocation which lays ahead for all of us.
Revd. David Messer, The Rectory, 1 Old Rectory Gardens, Stanton Bury St. Edmunds, IP31 2JH. 01359 250239. e-mail: david@dmesser.freeserve.co.uk
Charlotte Messer - Walking to Croatia
Hi my daughter Charlotte and her friend Dan are walking through Europe to Croatia to raise money for LINK-they need to raise a minimum of £750 between the 2 of them so any help you could give would be gratefully received. If you are able to donate any amount please follow this link: justgiving.co.uk/hitch2012
If you would like to know more about the organisation they are walking for click here. The aim is to promote and improve the quality of education in Africa.
This is what Dan and Charlotte have put on the justgiving site and thanks for any help and just taking an interest in the e-mail-Revd David Messer (a very nervous parent):
Thanks for taking the time to visit our JustGiving page.
Our aim is to hitchhike across Europe, starting from our home in England, across to France, through Belgium, Holland, Germany, Italy, and finally ending up in Croatia. It'll be thumb-out by the side of the road the entire route, with our trusty tent and the couches of generous friends to sleep on. No swanky hotels allowed!
Link Community Development works at all levels of the education system - with individual school communities, district education authorities and central government - to identify and remove the obstacles to quality education. They currently operate international programmes in rural districts of Ethiopia, Ghana, Malawi, South Africa, and Uganda, and there is a demand for them to extend their work to other countries.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving - they'll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it's the most efficient way to donate - we raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
ACTS-FOR ALL AGES
Coney Weston Village Hall unless otherwise stated - 4.30 - 6.00pm
- 13th January
- 27th January
- 10th February
- 24th February
- 9th March
- 23rd March
If you would like to join us at ACTS - you'd be very welcome! Please contact Revd David Messer (01359 250239).
Benefice Lent Course
Rich Inheritance - Jesus' legacy of love
Starting date: 2nd March 2012 at 11.30am
Venue: All Saints Church and Church Rooms
Rich Inheritance - Jesus' legacy of love: York Study Course
"Jesus didn't write a will. He left no written instructions. He didn't seem to have a plan. At the end, as he hung dying on the cross, almost all of his followers had abandoned him. By most worldly estimates his ministry was a failure. Nevertheless, Jesus' message of reconciliation with God lived on. It is the central message of the Bible. With this good news his disciples changed the world. How did they do it? What else did Jesus leave behind - what is his "legacy of love"? This course addresses these questions." (taken from the study guide)
We will start in the church and move to the Church Rooms for a simple meal, allowing us time to listen, to reflect and to learn. It will be a simple meal and 5 sessions spread over 5 weeks.
Lent is always a time to deepen our relationship with God. This Lent we hope you will also feel freshly inspired to invest in our human relationships, both within your own families, churches and communities, and with your sisters and brothers around the world.
If you would like to know more about the York course and what we plan to do, or would like to confirm your attendance please contact either Revd David Messer 01359250239 and Revd Lorraine Dawson 01379898447
We hope you will be able to come and share this journey!
Coffee Morning All Saints Church Rooms Stanton
Books sale, raffle and other stalls
3rd March 2012 10am-2pm
Acts are raising funds for Charlotte Messer and Dan Shaftoe
Concert
Concert with young musicians including Ben Sayer and others. Plus Stanton community primary school choir and the Benefice choir.
All Saints Church Stanton. 30th March 2012 7pm start.
Raising funds for Charlotte Messer and Dan Shaftoe
Entry free-donations gratefully accepted
Holy Week in the Benefice
MAUNDY THURSDAY
7pm supper at Stanton Church rooms followed by 8pm Holy Communion and the stripping of the altar - details of supper available from Celia Robinson 01359 251078
GOOD FRIDAY (7th April)
Witness of the Cross Bike Ride
Barningham - 9.00 am
Coney Weston - 9.30 am
Hopton - 10.00 am
Market Weston - 10.30 am
Stanton - 11.15 am followed by Hot Cross Buns and drinks and depart for home. Witness of the Cross Bike Ride with prayers at each church - times are approximate. All welcome to join in ride or meet at nearest Church. It would be helpful to know numbers so we can cater for refreshments - please let Angie Burrows know on 01359 250008
GOOD FRIDAY
Easter vigil at All Saints Hopton starting at 7pm.
HOLY SATURDAY
Quiet Day at Coney Weston Church starting at 9am-4pm.
Led by Revd David Messer and Keith Lewis
EASTER DAY SERVICES
St Andrews Barningham Holy Communion 8.30am
All Saints Hopton Holy Communion 9.45 am
St Mary's Coney Weston 9.45am
St Mary's Market Weston 11.00am
All Saints Stanton Holy Communion 11.00 am
Deanery Alpha Course
St Edmunds RAF Church, Honington, Suffolk , IP31 1LU.
Starting Wednesday 2nd May 2012. 7.00pm till 9.00pm
Hot meal, series of talks
Wednesday Evenings (Except 6th June)
"Who is Jesus?" "Why and how do I pray?"
You don't have to be a believer, or know anything about the Bible.
You can ask questions, or just listen
More info & bookings: Peter Gibbs Tel: 07553173826 email: gibbspdh@hotmail.com or Revd John Fulton, 01359 250285 jwfulton@ukonline.co.uk
ACTS-Year 5+
A group for year 5 and upwards. Dates for next year to be confirmed soon.
Church rooms, Stanton unless otherwise stated - 3.30 - 5.00pm.
All Age Services through the Benefice
- 1st Sunday each month at Stanton and Hopton at 9.45-unless otherwise stated
- 2nd Sunday each month at Stanton Holy Communion 11.00 with Sunday School and children's activities
- 3rd Sunday each month at Barningham at 11.00
Hilary Wordsworth-Sewell is happy to accompany your child to an All Age service if you are unable to do so.
4th Sunday Service at Barningham
Following on from last year when I was approached by the Methodist Minister advising me that they were in a position where they could not provide resources to support the Anglican/Methodist Services, a service of the word, a group of us got together to come up with some new ideas.
Discussion has taken place on the Parochial Church Council, with members of the congregation and others within Barningham and a number of ideas have been discussed by a small group tasked to look at this service. We have decided to retain a service of the word which is open to all denominations and all age groups.
On the 4th Sunday we shall be having a service of the word which will be themed to reflect the Sunday on which the service takes place. So for example the 1st one in May will be themed around the 5th Sunday after Easter.
There will be one slight difference in that within a 4 monthly cycle one of the services will take place at another venue and will be a 'Cafe type Church'.
If you would like to know more please speak to Dorothy Lodge, Hazel Maynard, Keith Lewis and myself. I do hope that you will come and join us and help us to share Gods word within our communities.
Gods Blessing on you and all those you love!
Revd David Messer
Pastoral Care Teams
I have been considering the development of teams or individuals who can for example assist in taking Communion to those who are ill at home or in a sheltered housing or residential home, or follow up visiting to those who are bereaved. Other areas include visiting and advising people on baptism, visiting those who are alone and generally being available when people are in need.
I would like to say thank you to those who have come forward ad are already working within our communities.
Revd David Messer
Safeguarding Officers for Vulnerable Adults and Children
In April I asked for some volunteers to take the role of Safeguarding Officer for our churches. I am pleased to state that 4 people came forward and they are: Karen Grieveson for Hopton, Dorothy Lodge for Barningham and Market Weston, Chris Flood for Coney Weston, Jan Jaraman for Stanton.
Diocesan website for safeguarding policy, procedures and related documents: www.stedmundsbury.anglican.org/pages/admin/policy/policy.htm
To read the key principles of the policy, the safeguarding procedures, and for contact details please click here. Alternatively for more information please contact myself. If a vulnerable adult or child is at risk of immediate harm - DO NOT DELAY - dial 999
Revd David Messer