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Alpha

In 2009 we ran a sucessful Alpha course
One person commented that "It answered a lot of questions I had and now I feel a lot happier with myself and life"
In 2010 we ran a similar course called "Start"
One person said: "Meeting people who were happy to listen to my opinions. I didn't feel judged or uncomfortable"

in 2011 we plan to be continuing this sort of enquirer couse again.
"The overall purpose of an Alpha group is to help bring people into a relationship with Jesus Christ" (Alpha Manual 1998)
See also "Exploring Christianity"
Note: there will be a Youth Alpha in May. See "Home" page



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Bradfield: Evening Prayer

Every 2nd Sunday of the month, starting at 6:30pm, an intimate service of Evening Prayer with traditional hymns, is conducted by the Vicar of Willand Parish, in the beautiful setting of the delightful All Saints Chapel at Bradfield.

All Saints is geographically located inside Uffculme Parish ... see maps page

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Exploring Christianity

Click above graphic for more details

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Antependae

[click on the photo to enlarge the collage the children did during the sermon. There is a little person for each of the 84 people in the congregation on the day - 7th Sept 08 - see if you can spot your person]

click pic to greatly enlarge: in Google Docs, right click the pic and choose "incognito" option, wait for it to download (see indicator bottom left), click on down-arrow in bottom left box and choose open!

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House of Prayer

6.30pm - 7.15pm on the 1st Sunday of each month; in Church

In Isaiah 56:7 the prophet wrote 'For my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations' and it is our hope that at our monthly gatherings, we would come to know a little of what he meant by this.

Our first gathering, February 1st, 2009, attracted 25 people and confirmed our sense that in this frenetic and noisy world, many of us are longing for space to be still in the presence of God, and focus on the things that matter to Him, and need to matter more and more to us.

The evening is for all who wish to pray and is quiet and reflective. There is no sermon, but our time is spent focusing on the needs of the world, our nation, our local community and individuals known to us who are in need. If you know of anyone or any situation that you would like us to remember at the House of Prayer, please pop into the church at any time, fill in one of the cards provided and put in in the box marked 'House of prayer'.

All are welcome to the 'House of prayer', regardless of whether you are a regular church goer or not and there is always an opportunity to receive personal prayer for those who would like it. A warm welcome awaits you.

Phil.4:6  "be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God"

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Luncheon Club

Meets in the Church Hall on the 3^rd  Wednesday of each month at 12 noon for 12:30pm. (35171 (David Brister) for details.

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Magazine making

Every 3 months a fresh edition of "St. Mary's Willand Church Magazine" is assembled and formatted for printing; colated from contributions and information gleaned from sources as far as the East is from the West; comes out and is printed; then the "Magazine making" team take over: folding it down to A5 size, stapling, and  delivering it to every household in the Parish.

Contacts:

• Pete Townsend - document assembly - PHTownsend@aol.com
• Approval of content - the incumbant or in their absence the CWs
  
• Colin Reeves - printing (and all processes in weekly bulletin production)
• David Tyne-Smith - making and distribution and delivery

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MDP

"Mary Dunn Project" worship band

play every 4th Sunday in the  month at the "Parish Praise" service
we rehearse seriously in the Church Hall on 2 Weds prior to the service we are on the rota for, less seriously on the other 2/3 weds evenings contact Pete Townsend on 829.210 for more MDP info - or if you are thinking of joining any of the worship bands contact Hazel Jones on 821.936

Oct 2011: MDP are currently a victim of the recession, having been mothballed since May 2011 - but ready and awaiting the call to war.

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Men's Breakfasts

An occasional group meeting. Usually at the Willand Restaurant. 8am on a Saturday morning.

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Men's Group

The Men's Group provides an opportunity for informal fellowship, support, encouragement and to provide us with an opportunity to explore our faith at home and at work.
We meet over a beer and curry (or other tasty options) at The Ostler, Uffculme, on the second Thursday of the month, gathering from 7:30pm.
The Men's Group is a CVMC mandated initiative, under the heading of: "Commit ourselves to growth and to making the gospel accessible to a wider range of people." the CVMC pledged to "Establish a ‘Men’s group’ to enable both fellowship and outreach."

The group was initially started as a coordination/ ideas entity for outdoor type activity events for Youth from mainly Uffculme and Willand churches. There had been a couple of trips yachting and canoeing at Wimbleball etc

See links to youth activity photo records :-
        23rd Jan 2010: Rock wall climbing near Buckfast
        22nd Aug 2009: canoe/sail @ Wimbleball
        26th Sept 2009: Canoe/Sail @ Wimbleball

The 1st meeting was 26th Nov 2009, to "have a quick ideas session on ‘outdoor activities’ etc" and 3rd Dec 2009 the 2nd.

Following on from the spirit of the 1st meeting (which was comprehensively entertained by stories from 2 submariners in the party that night); and the 2nd which ended with much debate on the global financial crisis, led by those with a more accountancy bent; the group went forward as a sort of debating group over a beer and a curry at the Ostler Inn (in the middle of Uffculme)

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Usual arrangements

- Confirm your attendance by email to Julian Garner by Tuesday at Julian@thegarners.me.uk
- Arrive from 7:30pm. Discussion at about 8:00pm, followed by food at about 8:30pm.
- If you can’t get there in time for food by all means join us for a beer later
- Non-curry and veggie options are available - let Julian know when you book
- A beer and a curry costs about £7.50
- If it is fully booked you'll be told
- If you would rather be removed from the mailing list let Julian know – no explanation required!

Thurs 10th March 2011
Being caught up in the life and mission of God
Christian lives are said to be lives caught up in the life of God, his work and purposes.

Where are you caught up in the mission and life of God? How is this expressed in your life?  Is it in church or maybe outside it, through your work or in your hobbies, when helping others or maybe when looking after nature and the planet.

How has your sense of the things that God wants you to be and do developed and grown?

How have you heard God’s voice and call in your life?

How have you responded?

Where might God be leading you next? 

 These can often seem big and at times impossible questions to answer. Why not come along to discuss, share or simply listen to others’ experiences of how they have tried to answer them and live lives caught up in the life and mission of God. Andrew Down a regular member of the Men’s Curry Nights, is currently going through the selection process to become a priest in the Church of England. Andrew kicked-off the discussion by sharing his own journey towards ordination, and how his faith has played a part in his life and current job working with people with alcohol problems.

Thursday 10 Feb 2011
A Christian Abroad – reflections on China and India.
Keith Rushforth was in China before Christmas and shared some insights from his visit, and from previous trips to China and India. A good opportunity find out about Keith’s work, as well as how these trips have influenced his faith.

An evening introducing the new Willand Vicar Rev. Rob Wilkinson

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Pause for prayer

Every Weds at 10:30am in  Church. Coffee, bible exploration and prayer. If there is anything you would like the group to pray for; please contact Joan Young 35834, or Esther Goodfellow on 820.431

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PCC - Parochial Church Council

Meets on 2nd Mon of some months [Feb, Mar, May, Jul, Sep, Nov ONLY] at 7:30pm in the Church Hall. The Annual Parochial Church Meeting is held with the PCC meeting in March.

14th Mar 2011: PCC and church AGM

Below, we have the 2011 AGM, sound recorded in full onto four ".mp3" audio files.
The narrative summarises what was said, or in some cases eg where there is no written report, gives it in full. [hh:mm] times given are how far through each .mp3 file you are

File 1 --- 2011-03-14-AGM-1.mp3 --- 3mins 46sec

Opened/chaired by Peter Thornton, CW. 2 meetings (1) to elect CWs (2) all other business

(Meeting #1) Chaired by Norman Goodfellow.

Vote of thanks to 2 CWs for a busy year. 2 nominations. Re-elected Peter Thornton for another year. Elected Andrew Metherell in place of Norman Snell.

Not recorded:

Hymn: “we have a gospel to proclaim”

File 2 --- 2011-03-14-AGM-2.mp3 --- 12mins 16sec

(Meeting #2) chair returned to Peter.

Opening prayers by Rev. David Dixon. Remembering Japan – earthquake … prayer for St. Mary’s … Lord’s Prayer: [Ends 2:40]. Vote of thanks to Norman Snell [ends 3:50] … some legal advice re CW tenure … Andy’s previous CW position remembered [ends 5:20] … apologies … last years agm mins accepted [ends 7:00] … PCC elections. Standing down after 3 years: Anne McClements, Ian Fry, Norman Goodfellow, < 3 years Peter Leach. New members nominated: 5 for 4 places: Steve Harvey (not Marie as per ballot paper!), Norman Snell, Steve Manktelow, Margaret Ritchie, Catherine [surname?] [fizzles out 9:30/10:30] [chatter to end of file 12:16]

File 3 --- 2011-03-14-AGM-3.mp3 --- 18mins 52sec

PCC election tellers: Don Beale and Andy Metherall. [chatter ends 0:45]

Synod reps election. Susan Murua, Ginny Metherell, Anne McMurray = current. At the last PCC meeting, just Susan stood down. Norman Goodfellow was elected to replace her. [ends 03:50]. Written Reports – no need to be read out loud. [see below - after this audio section] [cafuffle ends 06:50] .. Electoral roll by Eleanor Attfield. 2009: 137, 2010: 138, 2011: 139. [ends 7:58] .. Exploring Christianity study course. 1/6 modules complete by a dozen people. [ends 09:30] … Financial by Colin Reeves [starts 10:35] accepted – thanks voted to Colin  … new accountant Apsleys, 21 Bampton St, Tiv. [ends at end of file: 18:52]

File 4 --- 2011-03-14-AGM-4.mp3 --- 23mins 38sec

Thanks again to Colin Reeves for 10 years service – proposed to be replaced by a Finance Group – Martin Turner, assisted on VAT by Ginny Metherell, and on Gift Aid by David Ritchie. PCC will administer the handover before the new Incumbent arrives. Announcing voting results for PCC vacancies: [starts 05.08] Norman Snell, Margaret Ritchie, Steve Manktelow, Steve Harvey [ends 6:20] . Norman Snell: Willand Moor plot Trust. [starts 6:37][ends 9:12]. Peter hopes Andy will do the WMPT work. [ends 9:45] . Fabric report read by Peter [starts 10:00-   still damp in church, hall boiler/heating needs replacing, hall car park needs resurfacing, [ends 11:40] churchyard boundary wall – Diocese/MDDC problem [start 11:45] [ends 14:20] [starts 14:25 quinquennial report due this year [ends15:15]

mini biography of the new Vicar: [starts15:20] …

Rev. Robert Wilkinson: educated at Dublin High School; and Wycliffe Hall, Oxford; also an associate of the chartered institute of insurers. Robert spent 23 years in business in Dublin and London; and is now aged 58. He studied theology at Oxford and was ordained in the diocese of Canterbury in 1994. His ministries include a 3 year curacy in rural Kent; followed by 5 years as part of a team in a large city church in Plymouth. The last 10 years have been in the Devon villages of Whimple, Talaton, Clyst St Lawrence, and Clyst Hydon as both Priest-in-charge and Mission Community Leader.

At interview, Norman and [Peter] found Robert to be an experienced and gifted and Godly man; who is very friendly and approachable, and has a strong sense of humour. He lists his priorities in ministry as prayer, preaching and teaching and supporting and encouraging others in the use of their gifts. He is a team player who wants to help everyone find their place in the service of Christ; and has developed several teams who each services [ministers?] in his present 4 churches. Rob is equally at ease leading both traditional and free expressions of worship like parish praise. He sees his strength as being to relate easily to all kinds of people and all age groups. He seems to communicate the Christian message in a relevant manner, both to churched and unchurched alike. He likes being well organised and orderly and feels that he is a sensitive listener in pastoral care situations. His hobbies include gardening, fly-fishing, watching rugby and soccer, but unfortunately he is a Spurs supporter.

Rob has known personal tragedy, when Wendy, his first wife died suddenly in 2003, leaving him with 2 daughters in their late teens. He has since married Joan, a primary school teacher, who has 3 grown up children of her own.

“Rob is well known to Anna, and she is apparently thrilled that he is coming to be her successor”. [ends 19:50]

No aob. …. Next 12^th March 2012 …Harold closed with a prayer [ends 23:00] … grace …

Peter: “Is this a record 25 to 9?”[ends 23:38]

…. there followed a PCC meeting.

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Written Reports - 14/3/2011 AGM
Agenda
2010 minutes of AGM
The Vacancy - CW Report on the interregnum
Website and the depositing of recorded sermons thereon
Tuesday night homegroup
Thursday at 8 homegroup
Sunday school
Rockers parent/toddler group
The Hall PA sound system
The Hall overhead projector system
Supported mission Projects
MDP Worship group
The Quarterly Parish Magazine
The Luncheon club
St. Mary's Guild
Flowers

Also available subject to approval:
More detail on Lunch club account, Overall Financial Report

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Rockers

We meet on Mondays between 9.15am & 11am during term time in the Church Hall, Rectory Close. 

All pre-school children are welcome with their parents or carers to enjoy meeting friends, playing with a super selection of toys, enjoying a sing song and squash and biscuits. £1 per adult.

Newcomers are always welcome.

Enquiries: Ann McClements on 34614

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Start

See "Alpha" page

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St. Mary's Guild

Meetings every 3rd Thurs of the month. Normally 2:30pm in the church Hall. New members are always welcome