During the interregnum, the Rector's Letter will feature letters and articles from a number of contributors. This month, Canon Tom Christie has kindly submitted the following letter:
A JOURNEY OF EXPLORATION
In the first year of my curacy at Portsmouth (back in 1957) the clergy
of the deanery were summoned to a meeting, which was addressed by Sir
John Wolfenden (as he then was) and the Archdeacon of Oakham, Norman
Millard, chairman of the Church of England Moral Welfare Council. I
later discovered that the Archdeacon lived in Prebendal House, Minster
Precincts where I was subsequently to spend 22 years of my life and
ministry — such is the serendipity of life! The purpose of the meeting
was to present the recently published Wolfenden Report, which proposed
the decriminalisation of homosexuality (enacted in 1967).
Over the years I have read most of the literature that has been published
on the subject and, as a member of the General Synod for nearly 30 years,
listened to three major debates. It was high on the agenda for the Lambeth
Conferences of 1978, 1988 and 1998. The resolution in 1978 spoke of
‘the need for deep and dispassionate study of the question which would
take seriously both the teaching of Scripture and the results of scientific
and medical research and this was reiterated ten years later: the last
Conference, as you may recall, altered the original resolution to assert
more traditional values.
Later this month, in the light of recent developments, the Archbishop
of Canterbury will be conferring with the other archbishops of the Anglican
Communion to take the discussion further: they will be much in our prayers.
Next month there will be published Some issues in Human Sexuality (CHP
- £12.95), which is a major new volume (368 pages) from a working
party of the House of Bishops. It will help the Church engage with the
current debate on human sexuality in a way that is both theologically
rigorous and pastorally sensitive. Focusing on the three topics of homosexuality,
bisexuality and transsexualism, it provides a detailed analysis of the
main Scripture passages. (A companion guide, price £2.50, will
help individuals and groups to reflect on the material provided.) I
commend both of these publications for study.
When the 1991 report came out, I stored away this comment from the first
chapter:
‘There are questions in which deep levels of the personality, feelings
and fears often unconscious and unexamined, come into play, affecting
the way each person thinks and argues, speaks and behaves’. I also remember
a friend of mine saying at the time, ‘The Bible is not a weapon is a
cultural war, but a source of wisdom offered by a gracious God to people
who easily get the wrong end of the stick.’ Biblical passages have been
variously understood and we need to remember that in assessing and interpreting
the underlying message we must take account of knowledge not available
to biblical writers. The Bible is not the Koran, although there are
some African bishops who seek to assert the inerrancy of scripture to
combat the fear of Islam.
This summer a group was formed to give support and explore fresh insights:
several thousand joined in the first few weeks. Details, with a Declaration
of Belief, can be found on the website www inclusivechurch net. The
journey goes on — and we have a long way before we reach the end of
the road.
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BARNACK SERVERS FOR JANUARY
| 4 | Richard Howells, Clemmie Beck |
| 11 | Holly Chadwick, Nora Hanna |
| 18 | Hannah Wright, Imogen Cunliffe |
| 25 | James Chadwick, Andrew Fotheringham |
Open Fellowship
Meetings will be at 7.30pm on Thursday 8th January at 9 Warren Keep,
Stamford and on Thursday 22nd at 12 Canon Drive, Barnack.
The Children’s Society
It is that time of year again when I need to open all the boxes which
people kindly hold to raise money for The Children’s Society. Please
would you bring your boxes to church on either the first or second Sunday
in January or if this is inconvenient give me a ring on 01780 740387
when I can arrange to collect from you. Many thanks to all of you who
hold a box and contribute in this way to the vital work done by the
Society. June Graham
Good News Van
This will be at the home of Jessie and Stan Goodacre, The Lodge, Bainton
Road, Barnack at 10.30am on Monday 26th January. All are very welcome
if only for coffee, cakes and a friendly chat and the opportunity to
borrow Christian books, videos and tapes for adults and children.
| VILLAGE
CHURCH BRASSES & FLOWERS ROTA |
|||
|
Ufford |
Bainton |
Barnack |
|
| 4 | Mrs. Miller | Mrs M Coups |
Mrs Ward |
| 11 | Mrs. Miller | Mrs M Coups | Mrs Smith and Mrs Wright |
| 18 | Mrs. Land | Mrs E Ward | |
| 25 | Mrs. Land | Mrs Bratley | Mrs Irving-Bell |
New section for the Parish News: Announcements
It has been suggested that readers might appreciate an announcement
section in the Parish News, to inform fellow villagers of births,
marriages and deaths etc.
Anyone who would like to send a brief obituary for a loved one, who
has lived in these Parishes, or a birth or marriage announcement,
should email their contribution to the Editor by the copy deadline.
Contributions should be a maximum of 300 words. (It might be necessary
for me to edit contributions, should space be in short supply.) Lisa
Chadwick
Keith and Janet Duff
are delighted to announce that their elder daughter, Katy, will
be getting married to Brian Healy in Barnack Church on Saturday
17th January 2004 at 2.30 pm. |
Replacements for the Rector’s letter
During the interregnum there will be no regular contributor for page
two of the parish news, where Father Glyn’s letter appeared.
Arrangements have been made for contributions up to Christmas.
All members of the various churches within the Parish are warmly invited
to contribute an occasional letter to appear in this space.
Villagers are also invited to submit articles of general interest
to fill this page. Contributions should be a approximately 600 words
long.
Please email them to me at lisa
chadsonline.co.uk
(Please note: it may be necessary to edit contributions and each will
appear at the Editor’s discretion.) Lisa Chadwick
We had a superb evening with Mike Baumber in November and we were all
most interested in the wonderful work done by Rutland Sailability. Don‘t
forget that he will be talking about his visit to Vietnam to Barnack
WI in January. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, January 27th at
Ufford Village Hall at 7.45pm. There will be a talk by Bob Arrowsmith
on ‘Ships in Bottles’ and, as this is of general interest, we are making
this an open meeting. Husbands and friends will be most welcome. Frieda
Gosling
Music at the Millstone Inn
Calling all singers and musicians (and spectators). Come along to the
new Acoustic Sessions on the first Tuesday of each month. All musical
styles welcome: Blues, Jazz, Folk, Roots.
If you play an instrument or enjoy singing, come along to these music
sessions - it’s your chance to perform live!
Admission is free, so enjoy a great evening’s entertainment listening
to talented local musicians. See www.acousticsessions.co.uk
for more details.
Missing Xylophone
Some time ago, I lent a wooden xylophone to someone in Barnack. I would
now be grateful for its return, so it can be used in a local playgroup.
Please could you contact me if you know of its whereabouts. I am very
anxious to have it returned. Lena Grant
Make It Your New Year’s Resolution
You really don’t know what you have been missing this last year every
Sunday night here at the Cricket Club. Thought provoking anecdotes,
stimulating conversation, fine wines, superb draught beers, attractive
people… As you will have guessed these things are on short supply here,
all we can offer is a relaxing and friendly couple of hours on a Sunday
evening for you to have a good laugh and an enjoyable time. The beer
is pretty good too! Sunday 8.30pm – 10.30pm. Come as a team of 4, or
join a team there. Cash money prizes too!
Happy Christmas from the Barnack Cricket Club Quiz Night Management.
Friends Of Barnack Church
The 200 club draw for November lucky winners were:
189 P. Hudson £5
65 C. Robinson £10
119 R. Altham £20
59 W. How £50
78 J. Browne £50
90 D. Simmonds £100
Anyone interested in joining this terrific cause and
becoming a Friend of Barnack Church please contact Mr Martin Goodwin,
24 Bainton Road, Barnack. Tel: 01780 740145.
Please note: As from January 1st 2004 the annual subscription will be
increased to £15. This increase was approved at the Club’s AGM
on 24th March 2003. This is the first increase since the Club started
19 years ago.
Successful Christmas Market
As a cheer went up in Barnack village hall those present at the Christmas
Market were left in no doubt as to the result of the rugby match between
England and Australia. We were unsure whether the happy atmosphere in
the hall was due to efforts of those running it, or everyone’s pleasure
after having heard the rugby result.
What ever the reason, we wish to thank everyone who worked so hard towards
this event, and to everyone who braved the dreadful weather to support
us. The joy on one small child’s face was a delight to behold, when
he learned that Father Christmas was present to greet the children.
We would like to thank Father Christmas for the fun and laughter he
always brings to this occasion. The magnificent sum of £1,300
was raised for St. John Baptist Church.
Royal British Legion
Remembrance Sunday saw a commendable turnout of villagers at the War
Memorial ceremony on November 9th, followed by a service at Barnack
Methodist Chapel. It was good to see a group of people spontaneously
standing by the memorial at the 11th hour of the 11th day, in line with
the national revival of this custom which seems to grow in popularity
every year.
As always we are grateful to our dedicated band of Poppy Fund collectors,
who this year obtained takings amounting to £1,758.19 (2002- £1,335)
from the villages broken down by area as follows:
Ashton £53.56, Bainton £148.23, Barnack £472.43, Helpston
£63.23, Northborough £91.93, Peakirk £84.71, Pilsgate
£63.25, Southorpe £135.30, Ufford £237.96, Wittering
£180.15, RAF Wittering £227.44.
On 20th November 40 people attended a most interesting lecture given
by local historian, Tony Mills on the ‘Jedburghs of Milton Hall’ - a
secret organisation based there to train and direct British agents dropped
behind enemy lines in occupied Europe during WWII.
Future attractions for your diaries include the Legion’s AGM (with refreshments!)
at the Millstone Inn at 7pm Wednesday 14th January and our traditional
‘Winter Supper’ at the same venue, 7.15 for 7.45pm on Tuesday, February
10th. Tickets from Malcolm Morrice 740865 or Charles Clark 740441.
Barnack WI
28 members and 2 visitors were welcomed with a glass of mulled wine
to the Annual General meeting held in the Wilfrid Wood Hall, on December
9th 2003.
Birthday Buttonholes were resented to Ivy Ratcliffe, Wendy Bell and
Adrienne Collins. Retiring President Mrs June Graham gave the Report
for 2003 and the new committee was elected.
There was no raffle this month, but each member picked a present from
the bran tub. The Competition Cup was presented to Ivy Ratcliffe, with
Susan Jarman and Joan Wilding joint runners up.
Mrs Veronica Ewens then gave a talk and demonstration of Asian Cookery
with samples being passed around and much enjoyed.
The Tea hostesses excelled themselves by providing a delicious seasonal
buffet to round off the evening.
The next meeting will be in the Wilfrid Wood Hall in Barnack at 7.30pm
on January 13th 2004.
New members are always welcome.
Barnack Bowls Club
The winners of the December 200 Club Mega Draw were:
No 44 Mrs Pat Barton £50
No 47 Mrs Dorothy Huckerby £30
No 55 Mrs Judy Francis £20
No100 Mr Patrick Knights £10
Cheques are starting to arrive for subscriptions for 2004 and I look
forward to receiving the balance before the draw in January. Jill
Unsworth
Barnack Methodist Chapel
Our Coffee Morning and Cake Stall on Saturday, 6th December raised £138.82,
including a donation of £5. Many thanks to those who came. As
in previous years, we will not be holding a coffee morning in January.
As a result of your support for our Coffee/Tea and mincepies afternoon
on 11th December, we have been able to send a donation of £70
to Empingham Chapel which is one of the other chapels in our circuit
and about to embark on a major refurbishment programme.
Final arrangements have not yet been made, but it is hoped to hold an
ecumenical service at the Methodist Chapel on the evening of Wednesday,
21 January which is during the week of prayer for Christian Unity.
Barnack Cricket Club News
The recent ‘Barnack Cricket Club New Pavilion Christmas Prize Draw’
was a huge success with well over a £1000 raised in all. All those
in attendance had a great evening. Watch this space for more events
in 2004... this worthy fund raising mission will ultimately provide
a fantastic amenity for villagers of all ages. Next event will be ‘Stars
in your Eyes Karaoke night – Saturday 20th December at 8pm. Tickets
at just £2.50 are now available from the Post Office or Cricket
Club. Star prize for the best performance on the night. Come along to
watch or to perform and enjoy a guaranteed great night out!
Around 20 people attended November’s parish council meeting, including
our local community policeman, Norm McCallum and a colleague, who were
attending to help the debate on vandalism in the village and also the
traffic problems. Vandalism appears to have subsided a little, but Norm
asks us to report all incidents to him so that he can gauge the extent
properly. He is either at Bretton station on 01733-563232 or mobile
07753 577479.
Action is being taken to reduce the level of unauthorised HGVs on the
B1443 in the New Year. Additionally, as speed-activated warning signs
(similar to those on the A43 at Collyweston) have been found to be effective,
Bainton PC has applied for similar signs on village approaches. Both
Barnack and Helpston have already been allocated signs.
Would all those attending Bainton Church please refrain from parking
on grass verges, particularly in wet weather, as this has caused rutting.
Unfortunately there a was no entry for the Buttercross Club last month.
I can now tell you of our creative evening on Nov 5th when our Chairman
and Treasurer instructed and encouraged us to produce our individual
Christmas decorations. Marjory & Sheila brought examples of their
own, very artistic, arrangements which gave us inspiration We are very
lucky to have such talent amongst us and thank them for such a good
evening.
On Dec. 31st we had our Christmas Party for members and friends Once
again, in a very festive looking Reading Room, the tables filled with
delicious, homemade food for our buffet supper.
Having reluctantly decided to abandon our house-to-house carol singing
we rounded off our party evening by all joining together, under the
‘strict’ supervision of Elizabeth Snowball, in singing our favourite
carols. It was a relaxed and casual evening as we caught up with news
and chatted to neighbours and friends. In these days, when we all jump
into our cars and rush off, evenings like this are important to the
villages.
The next meeting is the A.G.M. on Feb. 4th so make a note in your new
calendar and please join us. J.M.
| VILLAGE COLLECTORS FOR
PARISH NEWS |
| Bainton and Ashton |
Mrs
Julie Stanton |
749123 |
| Barnack, Southorpe and Pilsgate |
Mr Roy Beck |
740808 |
| Ufford |
Mrs
Lisa Chadwick |
740893 |
| Articles by email or typed wherever possible please. COPY DATE for the February 2004 issue of the Parish News: Friday 16th January 2004 at 6pm E-mail:
lisa |
| ST.
MARY, |
ST.
JOHN BAPTIST, |
ST.
ANDREW, |
||
| 4th |
Christmas 2 | 6.00 pm Evensong (BCP) | 10.00 am |
9.00 am Eucharist (TR) |
| 11th |
Epiphany 1 | 9.00 am Eucharist (TR) |
10.00 am |
4.00 pm Evensong (BCP) |
| 18th |
Epiphany 2 | 4.00 pm Evensong (BCP) |
10.00 am |
9.00 am Eucharist (CR) |
| 25th | Epiphany 3 | 9.00 am Eucharist (TR) | 10.00am Eucharist (TR) | 4.00pm Evenson (BCP) |
KEY: BCP = Book of Common Prayer; CR = Contemporary Language Rite; TR = Traditional Language Rite
ROMAN CATHOLIC CHURCH
First Friday in the month, 7.00pm Roman Catholic Mass at St Mary’s Church, Bainton
Priest: Fr Martin Hardy, St Oswald’s RC Church
933 Lincoln Road Peterborough Tel 01733 322750
BARNACK METHODIST CHAPEL
The services for January are:
4th 2.45 pm Covenant Service Rev M Peach
11th 10.30 am Mr D Thompson
18th 10.30 am Rev N Ashton
25th 10.30 am Mrs J Hearn
Minister: The Revd Malcolm Peach
BARNACK BAPTIST CHURCH
Meets in Barnack Village Hall:
4th 10.30am
11th 10.30am
18th 10.30am
25th 10.30am
Minister: Rev Antony Wareham,
Tel 01733 268068 (office).
| PARISH
VOLUNTEERS SCHEME |
The Parish Volunteers scheme, under the auspices of the Church in our parishes, exists to support the wider community of our villages in ways that are helpful and practical. Please feel free to contact the persons below if you need assistance in their areas of involvement. There is a friend and helper only a telephone call away.
Contact Names Phone Areas of Involvement
Ann Addison 740414 Bereavement/Housebound/General Support
Sheila Berrill 740482 Education/Children/Housebound/General Support
Chris Fotheringham 740208 Practical Assistance
Yvonne Goodwin 740145 Bereavement/Housebound/General Support
Ken Waller 740396 Help with Form-filling
Jenny Walsh 740991 Family & Step Family Problems
| Please see the
interactive year planner for full details. |