United Benefice of Stanton, Hopton,
Market Weston, Barningham & Coney Weston
Upcoming Events and Notices
Ascension Day Service - Deanery
9th May 2013 7pm, All Saints Stanton
All Welcome
Refreshements will be available
Three Peaks for Han
1 Challenge - 5 Men - 3 Mountains - for 1 Amazing Woman
9th, 10th, 11th May 2013
We are going to climb the National Three Peaks in May 2013 in memory of the amazing Hannah Seeley to raise money for the Birthing Unit at the West Suffolk Hospital. Any donation is welcome and every little helps, Thank you! Mark, Ashley, Ian, Aaron and Dan.
Raising money for a great cause, please call of email to donate:
Call 07527663785 / 07805455121
Email: threepeaksforhan@hotmail.com
Or see their Facebookpage Three Peaks for Han.
This is in memory of Hannah Seeley-the young midwife who died in car accident last year. It was on the same day that she had sent out invites to her wedding. They are a lovely family and are doing something positive out of the tragedy. It was my privilege to be involved in the service and being with this family. If you can help in anyway I know they will be truly grateful. God Bless, Revd David Messer
BIG SUMMER SING!
You have seen the Military Wives Choirs, now it's your turn to have a go.
COME AND ENJOY THE BIG SUMMER SING!
SATURDAY 15TH JUNE 2013 at BARNINGHAM PRIMARY SCHOOL, 10am until 4.30pm
There's no audition and you don't need to be able to read music or have had any previous singing experience.
All you need is enthusiasm!
For more information and to register for the workshop call: Peter on 01953 681589 or email: pb.cox@btinternet.com
ACTS-FOR ALL AGES
Coney Weston Village Hall unless otherwise stated - 4.30 - 6.00pm
- 26th April 2013 - Theme - St George
- 10th May - Theme - Ascension
- 24th May - Theme - Trinity
- 7th June - Theme - The Gift of Love - to produce something for the AA at Barningham
- 21st June - Theme - Healing-Darkness Into Light-produce something for the 4th Sunday at Barningham
- 5th July - Theme - Something for the flower Festival at Hopton
- 19th July - Theme - End of term party
We will have activities and play based on the themes for the sessions. We also have games to play and provide refreshments for the children. We continue to look for volunteers to help with the development of ACTS and helping at the club. We have seen new people helping over the last year and I would like to thank Tim Porter, Kate Shelton and Trudi Nobbs for their help.
If you would like to join us at ACTS - you'd be very welcome! Please contact Revd David Messer (01359 250239).
ACTS-Year 5+
A group for year 5 and upwards.
Church rooms, Stanton unless otherwise stated - 3.30 - 5.00pm.
- April 23
- April 30
- May 7
- May 14
- May 21
- June 4
- June 11
- June 18
- June 25
- July 2
- July 9
- July 16
The Life of Christ
An Open Air Play in three acts.
Wintershall, Bramley, Nr Guilford, Sunday 30th June 2013, (A fifth Sunday!)
Leave 6.30am, return 8.00pm approx
Pick up points at Wattisfield, Hepworth, Stanton & Ixworth
Take packed lunch and tea.
£30.00 adults £20.00 Children.
Price includes coach travel and entrance fee
To reserve tickets: jsgprice@aol.com or 'phone 01359 251268
[Full payment by end February 2013]
Thank You
As many people have noted and commented there is a wonderful mural in the Stanton Bus Shelter.
This mural was painted by the children from Stanton who go the Stanton community Primary, Blackbourne Middle School and Thurston High School. It was coordinated by Julet Hodges and supported by Debbi Barber and the Heads and staff of all the schools involved.
This was an idea put together and discussed at the Stanton Way Forward Group, supported by a number of agencies and financial assistance from the Parish Council and others.
This a massive thank you to all involved in the painting which encapsulates all the positives of Stanton and has brightened up the Bus Shelter to the enjoyment of so many.
Revd David Messer
Ixworth St Mary's High School
A new Church of England secondary school in Ixworth?
When Beyton, Blackbourne and Ixworth Middle Schools close in 2014, the Thurston catchment area will need additional secondary school places. A new proposal from the Diocese of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich offers an exciting opportunity to provide some of those places in Ixworth with the opening of a new Church of England secondary school. The idea is for a school similar to the highly regarded Debenham High School - a small school, with outstanding results and an inclusive, Christian ethos. The proposal is being led by Jane Sheat, Diocesan Director of Education and Mike Crawshaw, retired Head of Debenham High School, with the support of local primary schools and the Thurston Partnership. They would like to hear your views about their idea.
Public meetings starting at 7pm will be held on: 28th November at Blackbourne Middle School, 3rd December at Woolpit Primary School and 4th December at Ixworth Village Hall. Please also visit the website for more information: www.ixworthstmarys.org or email: info@ixworthstmarys.org .
Mission Shaped Ministry (msm) Saturday, 6 Oct, 2012 - Bury St Eds - 12 Sessions
You are invited to share a learning journey in a supportive community to be equipped for a lifetime of good practice and learning in growing fresh expressions of church.
Course timetable and venue
Saturdays run from 10.00 to 16.00
Tuesdays from 19.30 to 21.30
Both at Christ Church, Moreton Hall, Lawsons Place, Bury St Edmunds, IP32 7EW.
- Saturday 6th October 2012
- Tuesday 16th October 2012
- Tuesday 30th October 2012
- Saturday 10th November 2012
- Tuesday 4th December 2012
- Tuesday 22nd January 2013
- Saturday 2nd February 2013
- Tuesday 5th March 2013
- Tuesday 9th April 2013
- Tuesday 30th April 2013
- Saturday 18th May 2013
- Tuesday 11th June 2013
Cost: £150 per person, which covers all materials, and refreshments.
Recommendations
"I'm delighted to commend the mission shaped ministry course to all who want to be effective in the 21st Century." Revd Graham Thompson, Chair, Methodist Church East Anglia District
"The mission shaped ministry course is timely and welcome. Such courses help us to think afresh about mission and provide great encouragement for those involved." Rt Revd Nigel Stock, Bishop of St Edmundsbury and Ipswich
Your local course: the Dioceses of Ely and Edmundsbury & Ipswich, the East Anglia Methodist District, the Eastern Baptist Association and the Eastern Synod of the URC are delighted to make msm available locally. We believe it will be a significant resource for building the Kingdom of God in this area.
Individuals are most welcome, but we particularly hope that small groups from a church or fresh expression will come as this will deepen the impact of the course.
The course leaders are Dave Gardner, Matt Finch, Dave Male and Claire Darracott, teachers include Adrian Chatfield, Jo Cox, Michael Moynagh, Chris Duffett and Terry Tennens.
Contact: Claire Darracott, Course Administrator, clairedarracott@mac.com, 07790 477273. Dave Male, Course Leader, dm432@cam.ac.uk
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.
Several years ago, South African Christians spoke with prophetic clarity and courage against the inhumanity of apartheid, and called the Churc to Action by launching a Kairos document-Kairos means 'a crucial moment in time'.
Palestinian Christians have now issued their Kairos document-how we will we and the church respond?
In December 2009, the Kairos Palestine document was launched. The work of Palestinian clergy and theologians, this historic Kairos call is a "moment of truth" for the Church in the West.
Kairos Palestine speaks with insight and compassion to Christians, Jews, and Muslims of Palestine/Israel, as well as addressing Christians around the world with a "cry of hope in the absence of ali hope" that demands a response.
Confronting the root causes of the conflict, the Kairos Palestine document urges Western Christians to help end the occupation that deprives Palestinians of their rights and condemns both peoples, Israelis and Palestinians, to a distortion of their humanity.
This officially-endorsed, abridged version of the Kairos Palestine document is a joint initiative of A Just Peace for Palestine, Christians Aware, Amos Trust, BMS World Mission, Pax Christi, and Sabeel UK.
Kairos Palestine
A cry of hope in the absence of all hope
We, a group of Christian Palestinians, after prayer, reflection and nn exchange of opinion, cry out from within the suffering in our country under Israeli occupation, with a cry of hope in the absence of all hope.
The reality on the ground is one of the Israeli occupation, and all that results from this situation: the dehumanising effect of the Separation Wall; the effect of the Israeli settlements that ravage our land in the name of God and of force; humiliation at checkpoints; restrictions on religious liberty; and the suffering of Jerusalem where homes are being demolished or expropriated.
There is also the reality of the refugees, waiting for their rights to be realised, as well as the Palestinians who are citizens of Israel waiting to enjoy equality.
What God is saying here; and now Young people, both Muslim and Christian, are emigrating in this absence of hope. The shrinking number of Christians is a dangerous consequence of the continued conflict.
We believe that the Word of God is a living Word, casting a particular light on each period of history, manifesting to Christian believers what God is saying to us here and now.
The Israeli occupation is a sin against God We know that certain theologians in the West try to attach a biblical legitimacy to the infringement of our rights. We declare that the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land is a sin against God and humanity because it deprives the Palestinians of their basic human rights.
The mission of the Church is prophetic, to speak the Word of God courageously, honestly and lovingly in the local context and in the midst of daily events. We say that our option as Christians in the face of the Israeli occupation is to resist. But it is resistance with love as its logic. It is thus a creative resistance for it must find human ways that engage the humanity of the enemy.
Our numbers are few but our message is great and important. Our land is in urgent need of love. Our love is a message to the Muslim and to the Jew, as well as to the world.
A call to repent
Our word to the Churches of the world is firstly a word of gratitude for the solidarity you have shown toward us in word, deed and presence among us. It is also a call to repentance and to revisit fundamentalist theological positions that support certain unjust political options with regard to the Palestinian people.
Are you able to help us? Our question to our brothers and sisters in the Churches today is: Are you able to help us get our freedom back? For this is the only way you can help the two peoples attain justice, peace, security and love. In order to understand our reality, we say to the Churches: Come and see. You will know the facts and the people of this land, Palestinians and Israelis alike.
We condemn all forms of racism, whether religious or ethnic, including anti-Semitism and Isiamophobia, and we call on you to condemn it and oppose it in all its manifestations. We call on you to take a position of truth with regards to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land. We see boycott and divestment as non-violent tools for justice, peace and security for all.
Stop the double standards
Our word to the international community is to stop the double standards, and insist on the international resolutions regarding the Palestinian problem with regard to all parties.
To Palestinians and Israelis: our appeal is to reach a common vision, built on equality and sharing, not on superiority, negation of the other or aggression, using the pretext of fear and security. Let the state be a state for all its citizens, with a vision constructed on respect for religion but also equality, justice, liberty and respect for pluralism and not on domination by a religion or a numerical majority.
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