Author: Jo Claridge

THE CHILDREN’S SOCIETY 

CHRISTINGLE SERVICE

On Sunday 11^th December Revd. Jacqui Keir-Bucknall, our Curate, led the annual Christingle Service in St James’s Church.  The Christingle reminds us that God created our world and gave us all the good things that we have whilst the candle in the centre represents Jesus, light of the world, here to love and support us. The Children’s Society loves, supports and works with the many children in this country who sadly are unloved, abused, lonely, living on the streets or refugees. 

Once again, the Service was very well attended with 25 children – and their parents/carers – joining us as together we made our Christingles. After making the Christingles we circled the church, lit the candles and turned out the lights whilst we sang Away in a Manger.  Magical and a great start to the Christmas celebrations.

The work of the Children’s Society helping and protecting vulnerable children is vital and thank you to all who attended and for your generous donations.    We raised £106.91.   

On Saturday 10^th December the first ever ‘Carols By Lantern Light’ was held at the Church Centre on a very seasonally cold, but thankfully, dry evening.

This being the first time the event had been organised, we did not know quite what to expect in terms of numbers. Over 300 people of all ages came!! What a turn out!

Santa arrived at 4.45pm, not on his sleigh, but in a sports car! He had very kindly given the reindeer the night off so that they would be fit for their long journey on Christmas Eve.

90 or so children were then able to visit Santa in his grotto where he was ably assisted by his elves. He was full of Christmas spirit as he reminded the children to be good, not to peep on Christmas Eve and gave a few hints as to his favourite tipple which co-incidentally seemed to be a certain local brand of cider! 

Mulled wine, hot chocolate and hot dogs helped to keep everyone warm while they listened to a variety of festive music played by the wonderful Weston Brass.

We then gathered for the Community Singing of traditional carols and Christmas songs accompanied by Weston Brass and introduced by our Master of Ceremonies, Winscombe Post Office’s Steve Reed who looked splendid in his Dickensian costume. Everyone seemed to be in good voice.

Our curate, Reverend Jacqui, gave a short reflection on the meaning of Christmas and we finished by singing ‘We Wish You A Merry Christmas’ to each other.

Everyone seemed to have enjoyed themselves and be keen to repeat the experience next year – so watch this space!

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Remembrance Sunday                                                                                                           Services at each of our churches were well attended on Remembrance Sunday as our villages paid their respects to the fallen and the two minute silence was kept at 11 am. 

In Sandford people assembled at the memorial to lay wreaths and listen to the names of those who died. At the church the standard was laid on the altar and Sandford Hand Bell Ringers played peals and chimes giving  the congregation time to reflect. Poignant displays of poppies and artefacts were a reminder of the role of the Army, Navy and  Air Force in conflicts past and present. There were also white and purple poppies representing peace and the contribution of animals.

St James’s was decorated, once again,  with knitted poppies. The Royal British Legion paraded their flags together with over 40 young people from the various Girl Guiding and Scout sections in Winscombe. The Last Post was played by a young trumpet player, followed by the two minute silence and then Reveille providing a very special atmosphere in the Church.  Scouts and Guides also read the names of the fallen. Wreaths from a number of community organisations were laid on the altar before being placed on the War Memorial at the conclusion of the service.

At St John’s a small congregation led by Rev Warren Williams took part in the service of at which a poppy wreath was placed on the two war memorial tablets in church and  the two boys who lost their lives on Dolberrow Warren were remembered.

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‘Somewhere to Go’ is a support centre providing  day  and night  services to help rough sleepers and disadvantaged and vulnerable  people. 

I am collecting once again this year before the onset  of winter, bedding, sleeping  bags, blankets  and warm clothes.

Please  help by donating items,  leave in my porch or personally  deliver  to        Weston-super-Mare. 

Angela  Morris  81 Green Hill Road  Sandford  01934 852327 

Please see below for details of two vacancies.

For further information about this role please download the full document.

Andrew was licensed as ‘Priest in Charge’ at Churchill and Langford (with particular responsibility for Churchill) on Monday 26th July. This was another step on the way to Churchill joining us but we’re not quite there yet!

We are in the process of furnishing and equipping Birch Cottage in readiness for the arrival of our Ukrainian Family.

For more information about how you can help please visit the Churchwardens Notices page

On Sunday 3rd July we welcomed Jacqui Kier-Bucknall, our new curate, to our churches in Winscombe, Sandford and Churchill at a special Cafe Chruch.

We look forward to working with Jacqui over the next few years.

A Platinum Jubilee High tea for retired residents was held on Thursday 2nd June supported by a generous grant from St Monica’s Trust.

A great time was had by the retired residents who tucked into sandwiches, cheese scones and  sweet scones with jam and clotted cream.  The tea finished off with a selection of cakes. 

A toast was raised to Queen Elizabeth with glasses of Prosecco.  Entertainment was by the FAB TWINS from Bristol who sang songs from 50’s, 60’s and 70’s and everyone joined in at the end with the Platinum Jubilee song ‘Sweet Caroline’.

Thanks to all those who helped on the day, baked cakes and scones and made sandwiches.  This was truly a day to remember.  A commemorative book was also given to each household as a memento of this special occasion.

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Christian Aid Week: 15th to 21st May 2022

The horrific war in Ukraine and the impact on refugees is rightly getting priority for charitable giving, but Christian Aid Week gives us an opportunity to think of other challenges around the world. The war in Ukraine will drive up food prices in Zimbabwe, over 7,000 miles away, and in many other struggling societies around the globe. Without the fertiliser and food – like wheat and cooking oil, which Ukraine and Russia produce – vulnerable families will be pushed even deeper into long term hunger. 

Your gifts this Christian Aid Week could help set up water taps on a farm, enable families to grow food, and provide seeds that thrive in drought – giving the people all they need to turn the dry, dusty land into a garden of hope.

Donation envelopes will be available in our Churches and during the week look out for collection tins at key locations. (There will be no house-to-house collection)

You can also give online to our Bank Account:

Sort Code: 60-23-32

Account No: 53356640

With every gift, every action, every prayer, we celebrate and share hope with our sisters and brothers facing crisis around the world, from Ukraine to Zimbabwe.

Thank you for your support.