Join us for half an hour on Thursdays at 6.00 pm.   

A small group of us meet on Thursdays at 6.00 pm (currently from home) to meditate in the Christian tradition, seeking God in the silence and stillness beyond word and thought.

If you would like to join us for half an hour (reading, silent prayer, closing with The Lord’s Prayer), or learn more, please email Robin Campbell robinclerks@gmail.com    

Be Still and know that I am God  

Psalm 46:10

As a result of the recent announcement of another lockdown the Rector has consulted with the Standing Committee of the PCC and agreed it would be unwise to take our services back into church.  So until the tiers are reviewed we will continue to offer our services, pre-recorded to be viewed online.

Praying for you all for resilience and patience during these tough and challenging times.

Hi

I’m Alex the pioneer minister here in the parish, living and working in the village of Rode. Jessie, my border collie, and I moved here at the end of June 2020 and have spent the last few months settling in to life in a new community. As a pioneer my role is to be something of a bridge between the church and the community so, although I go to some church services and meetings, most of my time is spent in the community. Of course, Covid-19 has meant that I haven’t been able to meet people in groups so I tend to meet people on a one household basis, and I am currently transforming one of my garages from storage space to Covid-secure meeting space (for after lockdown 2.0). I also meet a lot of people when I’m out walking the dog or prayer walking – it’s great to be in a village as friendly as Rode! Another thing I’ve been spending time doing is looking at how social media can be used to create community – and at least that is something I can do even when we aren’t allowed to mix households!

Mine is a part time role, meaning I work around 20 hours a week, and I spend the rest of my time studying for a PhD which looks at how the Church of England could engage more with challenging social injustice. The church is very good at responding to those who are in need as a result of inequality and injustice, but not so good at tackling the root causes of injustice – and I am looking at trying to understand why that is and how we could do more.

If you want to know more about what I do, or why I do it then do be in touch – I’d love to chat!

Alex Holmes

revalexholmes@gmail.com

 

The licensing of Alex by The Venerable Anne Gell Archdeacon of Wells was held on 17 June using remote Zoom service.

 

Over the years I have likened the team at Hardington Vale to a Camper van in the garage, to a ship setting out to sail, and when I look at you I see a wonderful team - fellow labourers in the harvest.

Each and everyone one of you plays a vital role -parish wardens, deputy wardens, chapel wardens - each and every one of you is appreciated

We are all in the words of our Dwelling passage, engaged in this ministry’ together.

So THANK YOU ALL for the part each one of you plays

THANKS

A special thank you to:

• Ros for holding the whole parish together with Admin particularly over the Lockdown period
• Sue Rodford - welcome back from furlough -thanks for the tireless energy and enthusiasm you bring to your role. You are inspiring the rest of us with your creatively and innovations in the current situation
• Tony Day for all the amazing recordings and IT that you have helped us with over the last few months. Thank you

The last few months have been very different to what any of us could have imagined.  BUT in true HV fashion we have been ‘perplexed but NOT driven to despair’.

PMC

Thank you to the PMC Steering team for keeping going and helping us continue to Dwell despite increased work commitments:

Susie Filkins

Chris Todd

Andrew Morrison

Barbara Day    and the Mission Innovation Team MIT:

David Lockley

Anne Harkness

Nicky Robinson-Moore

also for continuing to meet despite restrictions - though we feel we need to re-look at our Missional Adapative Challenge MAC so proposing doing this on Saturday 7th Nov 10 - 12 (meeting details to follow).

NEW TEAM

Welcome to the new team too:

• Alex Homes Associate Priest and Rural Pioneer at Rode
• Jo Robinson Curate
• Michael Harrison - Reader
• Fergus Stewart - Reader in training
• Stephen Kivett - PTO

Online services are here to stay so we will continue a mixed mode of in church and on line.  Any comments/feedback much appreciated.

Dates/events for the diary/prayer

9/10 Oct - PMC cluster event

Launching of new Homegroups…

26th Nov - Next PCC Meeting

‘do not lose heart’ we have much to thank God for as we go forward and continue to ‘proclaim Jesus Christ as Lord and ourselves slaves for Jesus’ sake’.

who run the local foodbank.  This organisation works with local people from all backgrounds to promote greater equality

Urgently required are:

UHT MILK

TINNED/INSTANT POTATOES

PULSES

TINNED GREEN VEG

COLD MEATS/HOT MEATS

COFFEE AND TEA

TINNED SPAGHETTI

TINNED SNACKS

PASTA SAUCE

SAUCES FOR RICE

RICE

CUSTARD

INSTANT PASTA SNACKS

Please take your donations to

 Sainsbury's in Frome

who have a collection point in their front entrance

or

Lidl's in Frome

who now have a collecting point by their tills

the Foodbank also accepts money donations.

https://localgiving.org/donation/fairfrome

WHY THE COMMUNITY NEEDS US

Coronavirus is already placing a huge strain on our community. For the moment, the Food Bank is our number one priority and all the staff and volunteers are working as hard as we can to ensure this can keep going.

What your gift could provide

£5 pays for an Action pack (hot meal) for 1 family

£20 pays for three days of emergency food items

£30 pays for a week's worth of fresh fruit and vegetables for five families in crisis

MANY THANKS FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT

 

 We are introducing said Holy Communion services during August as follows:-

2 August        10.30 am       St Lawrence, Rode 

9 August        10.30 am       St Philip & St James, Norton St Philip

16 August      10.30 am       St Lawrence, Rode 

23 August      10.30 am       St Philip & St James, Norton St Philip

30 August      10.30 am       United Holy Communion, St Lawrence, Rode

Please respect social distancing rules and hand gel usage

 

FOR PRIVATE PRAYER

Our churches remain open for private prayer.

Norton St Philip afternoons only – Monday – Friday 2.00 pm – 5.00 pm.

For churches in other villages please consult your Chapel Wardens direct for specific opening hours.

Please respect social distancing rules and hand gel usage

MINUTES OF A MEETING OF THE PCC

Held using  Zoom

The meeting was chaired by The Rector

NOTE: Due to the Covid -19 lockdown no elections have taken place, so the PCC members and officers appointed in 2019 are still in place.

The Rector played the song “Be still and know that I am God” and led an Opening prayer.

The meeting Dwelt in the Word – on 2 Corinthians 4 1-12

Words that stood out

• Veiled (see through uncertainly and confusion)
• Proclaim (we are here to serve)
• Proclaim (not ourselves only Jesus)
• Perplexed but not despairing
• Treasure in clay jars – fragile but long lasting
• Called (do not lose heart)
• Open statement of truth
• As above importance of honesty
• Light shine out of darkness
• Treasure in clay jars – Jesus is treasure
• Open statement of truth – importance of speaking out.
• WE are engaged in this ministry
• Treasure in clay jars vs Jesus within us?
• Extra ordinary power is of God not us
• Not Perplexed (tough in current situation)
• Extra power in clay jars – creation
• Open statement of truth – finding ways to share

CW led the meeting in a prayer

1. ATTENDANCE
2. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
3. PRESENT

 

Rev Caroline Walker	Barbara Day	Michael Harrison
Rev Alex Holmes	Jo Robinson	Andrew Morrison
Christopher Todd	David Lockley	Geoff Banwell
John Flindall	Rachel Feilden	Susie Filkins
Andy Filkins	Anne Harkness	Tony Day
Sharman Flindall	Sally Pickett	Ros Lockley
Michael Walker

1. MISSION:
2. a) PMC (Partners in Missional Church) Chris Todd presented Susie Filkins written report.

Issue of food poverty was mentioned in context of cooperation with pubs

1. b) The meeting welcomed and introduced themselves to Alex and Jo who both spoke of their first two weeks in the parish.

Barbara Day led the meeting in prayer of thanks for the arrival of Alex and Jo.

1. TEAMWORK:
2. a) Rector’s Points

CW reported on recent activities

• On line services - Easter - Thy Kingdom Come/24 prayer with Chapel - Pentecost - Breakfast church
• Interview and appointment of Alex
• Liaising with Diocese and Arrival of Jo
• Support of wedding couples and their marriages – four couples doing Marriage course
• Liaising with Sue - school – Governors New head to be appointed short list of three. Interviews in September
• List B applications and DAC forth coming visit
• We need someone join PCC as churchwarden for buildings
• Funerals: have taken a few. Despite small number significant and helpful

The meeting offered thanks and congratulations for the way the Rector had reacted to the lockdown.

1. b) Children & families worker report. Sue has been furloughed during May – July so no report is expected.

Michael Walker led the meeting in prayer

1. LEGAL COMPLIANCE: Complying with charity and church law
2. a) The meeting approved the minutes of the PCC meeting held March 2^nd 2020
3. b) Matters arising not covered by main agenda.

Hemington Churchyard  TD reported he had attended a Zoom meeting today of a pre contract meeting with CCT to ensure the PCC interests in the churchyard are protected. He has advised the insurers of the forthcoming work and will receive minutes of regular site meetings.

1. c) Revisions to service pattern. Chris Todd presented the proposed changes agreed at the Standing Committee following Diocesan advice.

• No informal services
• Breakfast church will remain on Zoom
• Holy Communion one per week from Aug alternating between Rode / NSP who have sufficient space for distancing.
• Project services words where possible. If not use disposable orders or service
• No books
• No singing but may use music
• Individual communion cups – minimum handling of wafers
• Queue with distance
• Communion elements are offered but anyone who is uncomfortable should be relaxed if they opt out.
• People to be asked not to come to church if unwell
• Record parts of service and put online
• In one door out the other
• Keep under review and reassess at PCC 14 Sept.
• Evening and morning prayer outside at small churches
• Face covering? Awaiting clarity of government guidance
• Keep a Register (for track & trace)

Proposed: Chris Todd

Seconded: Sharman Flindall

Passed unanimously with one abstention.

Michael Harrison led the meeting in prayer for how we begin to come back physically.

5. SAFEGUARDING:

Hardington Vale Safeguarding Report. (No activity so no report this time)

FINANCE:

6. a) Geoff Banwell presented a report giving an Update and impact of lockdown on parish finances (see written report)

GB explained and proposed the PCC adopt recommendation not to apply for help under the discretionary Parish support and relief.

Proposed Geoff Banwell

Seconded Rachel Feilden

Passed unanimously

Andrew Morrison led the meeting in prayer for the financial matters

1. b) Tony Day presented a proposal to replace the Parish News copier with new machine (see written proposal)

Proposed Tony Day

Seconded Geoff Banwell

Passed unanimously

7. BUILDINGS AND CHURCHYARDS:

St Mary’s church Laverton – external wall repairs. Request for list B approval.

The PCC supported the application

Proposed John Flindall

Second Rachel Feilden

Passed unanimously

8. WIDER CHURCH: - Deanery/Diocese/National.

 

1. a) CW and Jo Robinson attended a Diocesan synod

Bath & Wells are reasonably well off and expect a small surplus this year of £100k

However they are looking at resources

Deanery Synod has not met

1. b) Charitable giving: held over from previous meeting. Our National Charity, Mercy UK has come to the end of the three year period of support, and needs to be changed.

Meeting voted on CAP and Safe Passage and voted by majority for Safe Passage.

Rachel will prepare a short piece for the magazines.

Anne Harkness led meeting in prayer for all three charities. Mission to Seafarers, Active and in touch and now Safe Passage.

11.          HEALTH & SAFETY:
12. a) All policies have been signed off.
13. b) PAT testing. Done in all five churches. The meeting thanked Bob Hill for undertaking these tests
14. MATTERS FROM MINUTES OF THE STANDING COMMITTEE: none not already covered
15. Arrangements for delayed APCM See Item 11 of minutes of meeting on Mar 2

Reports are in Hardington Vale news which will be published in August

 

12. A.O.B Fergus Stewart has been accepted for reader training.

Chris Todd led the meeting in a prayer of thanks for Fergus being selected.

The Rector closed the meeting with prayer at 21:15

A J Day

Secretary to the PCC                                       Dates of Next meetings

PCC Monday 14^th September in St Lawrence Rode

APCM September 29^th. In Norton St Philip Church

 

• MINUTES of PCC meeting Mar 2 2020.  Previous minutes can be found here PCC

Read the latest round-up of news via the report from the Rector, Rev Caroline Walker.

 

 

and join us on Facebook

https://www.facebook.com/hardington.vale.parish/

 

 

In the Old Testament, the high priest was the mediator between God and His people.  His job was to regularly offer animal sacrifices according to the law and to intercede with God for forgiveness for the people’s sins.  Jesus Christ is now our high priest.  He came to earth as a human being; therefore He understands our weaknesses and shows mercy to us.  He has, once and for all, paid the penalty for our sins by His own sacrificial death and He can be depended on to restore our broken relationship with God.  We are released from sin’s domination over us when we commit ourselves fully to Christ trusting completely in what He has done for us.

Knowing that Jesus suffered pain and faced temptation helps us face our trials.  Jesus understands our struggles because He has faced them as a human being.  We can trust Jesus to help us survive suffering and overcome temptation.  So it is important when we face trials to turn to Jesus for strength and patience - to remind ourselves of His example and to ask for God’s Holy Spirit to fill us and enable us to be strong in the face of all the trials and temptations that we face.

We have a hope
that is steadfast and certain,
gone through the curtain
and touching the throne;
we have a Priest
who is there interceding
pouring His grace
on our lives day by day.

 

Caroline, Rector