Current 2007 Parish News

Parish News September 2007

The Rector’s Letter

Pause for Though from Parish Priest: Canon Margaret Venables
The Rectory, Barnack, Stamford, Lincolnshire. PE9 3ET

We were lucky. Our holiday had been ten days of uninterrupted sunshine in Alderney, but the day we were to fly back rain was quickly followed by fog and we were trapped on the island. We were ready to go home by this time and the children were looking forward to seeing their friends again, even though we all agreed that we had had a lovely time. A pause in the rain and we thought we would go out for a quick walk, but, of course we were soon soaked through. ‘Granny,’ said one of the children. ‘ Will you pray that we can fly home tomorrow, please?’ A tricky one that as I explained that God doesn’t work quite like that and nor does prayer, that God is not a celestial Father Christmas, just waiting for our requests. But with childlike logic being the order of the day I was then asked what was the good of praying for people if God wasn’t really listening or prepared to do anything anyway.

By this time, of course we were into the sort of questions that puzzle not only children but many adults as well. What is prayer about? And why does God not seem to hear our cries? Why does he seem to be silent? Of course I can’t answer those questions in one short article, many of our holiest men and women have spent their whole lives trying to find answers and many, many books have been written to try to help us move nearer to understanding God. We will not fully understand in this life, nor are we meant to do so. St Paul wrote: ‘Now we see through a glass darkly, then we shall see face to face.’

Prayer is about faith; faith in a God who loves us and wants what is best for us – even if we can’t see it at all. Prayer is not just about intercession; it’s about T.C.P. T for THANKSGIVING – for all the blessings we have received in any one day. C for CONFESSION – for all the things we have thought or done to hurt God and others in one day. P for PETITION – holding daily before God those we love and those we know who are in need.

And there was my grandson’s final question also: ‘Do we need to pray every day?’ Well, I know that I need to or the day just doesn’t seem to be quite right and I have also learned that when I pray things happen that just don’t seem to otherwise.

You will see elsewhere that we are offering you more opportunities to join in daily prayer in our churches. Anyone is welcome, whether you worship with us on Sundays or not. For many years it has been seen that only the clergy need to be in church each day, but that was never what Cranmer envisaged when he wrote the Prayer Book. Daily Prayer was designed for all people and many have recently come to appreciate that joining together with others lends a richness to their prayer lives – so do come and try for yourself.
And by the way the fog did lift and we were safely on our way the next afternoon – I wonder if God was just listening and laughing at our conversation?

Margaret

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BARNACK PARISH CHURCH - WEEKLY SET SERVICES & EVENTS:
All are welcome at any of our Services.

Morning Prayer will be said at 8.30 am at St John’s Barnack on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and on Thursday at 7.00am.

A Service of Prayer for Peace and Justice will be said in St Mary’s Bainton at 9.00am on Tuesdays, followed by coffee.

Children’s Church: Children’s Church meets on the 1st, 2nd and 4th Sunday of every month, during the service. Children of all ages are most welcome.

Family Services: A Family Service is held in St John’s Barnack on every 3rd Sunday. This service is specially for families and their children and is not a communion service.

Church Mice: Time for small children to meet with their parents / carers in St John’s Church on Mondays during term time 2.00pm – 3.00pm

Church Mice
Church Mice will begin again on Monday 10th September.

Barnack Carpet Bowls Club
The Carpet Bowls meets in the Village Hall on Tuesday afternoons from 2.30 - 4.30 pm and on Thursday evenings from 7.30 - 9.30 pm. The 2007/8 season begins on Tuesday 18 September and Thursday 20 September. New members welcome.

Invite For New Members
The Friends Of Barnack Church 200 Club have been helping to conserve the fabric of our church for a great many years now. So, why not consider joining? The 200-club subscription is only £15 per year with great cash prize draws each and every month. To join this wonderful cause and become a Friend of Barnack Church please contact John Ward Tel: 01780 740016.

Thanks from Mr & Mrs Dick
Agnes and Archie Dick want to thank all those who, by card, word and gifts of flowers, wished them well on the occasion of their diamond wedding anniversary on 9th July

Ufford Art Society: 2007 Art Demonstrations in the Village Hall
Thursday September 20th 9.30am - 12 noon, Charles Evans, Oils.
Ufford Art Society members £2 per session. Non-members - £3 per session.

Royal British Legion Programme
Saturday November 10th
Service of Remembrance Royal Albert Hall. Four tickets £10 each are available for allocation to branch members for either the afternoon or evening service , please contact the secretary for more information.
Sunday November 11th
Ecumenical Service of Remembrance - St. John the Baptist Church Barnack. This will take place , as last year, commencing at 9.45am and will be followed by a short service at the village War Memorial. The Legion Standard will be paraded on both occasions and Stamford School Cadets will be in attendance.
Monday January 21st 2008
2008 Winter Supper - Barnack Village Hall 7.15 for 7.45pm. Tickets available from December 1st. for members and friends.
Monday February 18th 2008
Winter Lecture Barnack Village Hall - 7.30pm Tickets available from January 1 st. - all most welcome - subject to be notified. Where tickets are required your contacts are - Barnack Post Office
The Secretary 740865
Charles dark 740441
Patrick Knights 740774
Elizabeth Young 740347.
Finally a note to tell you that our membership continues to increase, our finances are in good shape and we are well placed to distribute welfare and aid to those ex service people and their dependants in need. This includes help with emergencies in the home such as a plumbing crisis , the provision of transport for hospital visits and the supply of mobility aids etc. Malcolm Morrice Hon Sec

British Red Cross
A big thank you to everyone in Pilsgate who contributed towards the Red Cross collection in May. A total of £58.46 was raised. Ria & Katie Sutcliffe

Village Ladies Group
Tuesday 24th July was our Garden Party evening at 2 Hillside Close, Ufford. We were very fortunate that we had good weather, tasty food and enjoyable wine - all the ingredients for a sociable evening. On Tuesday 28th August we have Ian Jones talking about Conscripts and Conchies in World War 1. The meeting will be in Ufford Village Hall at our usual time of 7.45pm. This is an open meeting. Everyone is welcome to join us - male and female.
Tuesday 25th September will be Tony King sharing his experiences on an Expedition to K2. The meeting will be held at Ufford Village Hall at 7.45pm. Visitors are very welcome. Please come and join us.

Free Single Bed
Free Single Bed available in Bainton, with built-in clothes drawers underneath. If interested call Jenny at Blue Boar House -740709

Barnack & District Horticultural Show & Family Day
The glorious 12th August started with a few black clouds but as the exhibits started to arrive so did the sunshine and the horticultural show was back in business. After the opening ceremony by Group Captain Atherton from RAF Wittering, a great family day was had by all.
A total of 350 vegetables, fruit, flowers and craft were judged. The WI sold lots cream teas; the barbecue once up and running did a roaring trade in sausages and burgers, and the teenagers on the ducking stool were ducked more times than they care to remember! Money was raised for all different causes: Emily and Charlotte Dawson raised £170 on the pony rides for the air ambulance, £96 was raised by the pre-school and £127 was raised on the Bric a Brac stall for a 220 mile cycle ride Debbie Martin is undertaking for a charity called HEAL. The day culminated with the presentation of trophies by Harry Brassey and it was great to see new and experienced exhibitors gaining recognition for their efforts.
The Barnack Show Committee wish to say a big thank you to all those people who prepared the hall, moved tables, put up gazebos, ran the treasury, served teas and ran stalls, without you the show would not have been such a success – a great example of community spirit.
Two raffle prizes have not been collected numbers are 196-200 yellow ticket and 296-300 green ticket please contact Debbie 740048. The programme raffle prize for a meal for 4 at the White Hart was won by Amanda Holland. The final proceeds from the show will go towards the new cricket pavilion after the expenses are paid and accounts completed.
If you would like to submit any photos from this years show to the gallery on the Barnack Show website please contact Judi on 740420. Or if you are interested in being involved in helping plan and run the 2008 show contact us on either of the numbers above. For more info and pictures from the show please visit www.barnack-show.co.uk

The Good News Library Van
With the start of Autumn the Good News Library Van will be returning to Barnack on Tuesday September 18th. It will be at Margaret Durdey’s home 12 Canon Drive, Barnack from 10.30 until 12noon.
Do you like to read books, or do you prefer watching D.V.D.’s and videos, or listening to C.D.’s and tapes? Whichever is your preference there will be boxes containing each of these for you to select, and borrow free of charge.
If none of these is your style come and join us for a cup of tea or coffee, and biscuits and cake. Regulars and newcomers are always most welcome.

Barnack Bowls Club
The winners of the July draw were:
No 59 Paul Buckley £25
No 54 Trevor Goodwin £15
No 33 Peter Hutchins £10
Once again, our Gala Day was played in good weather, which was particularly good in view of the bad weather we have had this summer. It was lovely to see all the rinks occupied in what must be one of the most attractive settings for bowling in this area. For the second time this year, a Barnack team was in the final and the team, which was led by Brian Barton, were the eventual winners over a team from Longthorpe. Well done to them!

Barnack Methodist Chapel
We had very good support for our August Coffee Morning after our break in July and raised over £100 for our funds. We also did a very good trade on our stall at the Horticultural Show and will have to start making more jams, marmalades and pickles as our stocks are now quite low. Fortunately we will have a bit of time to replenish them as there will not be a Coffee Morning in September because of the difficulty with the traffic going to the Horse Trials. We hope to see you again therefore on Saturday, 4 October at the usual time of 10 am to 11 am.

Buttercross Club
This was no ordinary Grandes Boules tournament - this was the tournament. Competition was fierce. Competitors had been honing their skills and strategy all year. This was the Open/the All-England/ the all rolled into one To say it was the competition of all competitions would be an understatement. The atmosphere was electrifying and razor-sharp skills were on display. The atmosphere was tense and in the minutes leading up to the final score announcement, a hushed silence descended on the crowd. Yes, the Deuce-Coups (Marjorie Coups and her grandson) swept the floor/took the trophy (well, there ought to be one) in the adult section and the Slerps (Kittie Hardie and Joanna) in the juniors. Well done the winners and commiserations to the others but we look forward to seeing everyone at next year’s Championship. Meanwhile, keep practising ! Seriously folks, we were blessed with a fine, warm evening at our August social event and our thanks as ever go to Major and Mrs Birkbeck for their kind hospitality. Thanks also to Brian Yates for keeping the score!
Tsunamis and Earthquakes will be explored in depth at our next meeting on 5th September. We may be familiar with the devastation they cause but Tony Gowers will enlighten us as to why they happen - interested? - just come along to the Reading Room at 7.45pm. JJ

Barnack Baptist Church
Autumn Services are back to their normal 10.30am programme starting from Sunday 2nd September. Please come along for a warm welcome, friendship and joyful worship in the Village Hall.

Celebration Service – 16th September
On 16th September Barnack Baptist Church will be holding a service at 10.30am to celebrate our “coming of age” as we become an independent Baptist Church affiliated to, and recognised by, the Baptist Union of Great Britain. For a period of time we will officially be the youngest Baptist Church in the UK. The guest speaker for this service will be the Reverend John Boyers, chaplain of Manchester United. The service will be suited to all ages and will be followed by a bar-b-que. Please come along and support us in this step of faith and commitment to the local community.

Women Connect
The next meeting will be on September 20th. Sian Howells, Stone Gables, Ufford.

Thorpe Hall Fundraising Lunch
A fund raising lunch will be held in Barnack Village Hall at 12.30 pm on Wednesday 26th September. Everyone is welcome. Tickets cost £8.50 to include one glass of wine and can be obtained from the post office or from Judy Francis on 740300

Baptist Church Youth Club
Youth Club re-starts at 7.30pm in the Village Hall on Friday 7th September. All young people in school years 7-11 are welcome.

Little Lambs
Little Lambs re-starts on Tuesday 11th September at 10.00am in the Village Hall. All carers and pre-school age children are welcome, including babies! Please come along and join us for active play, crafts, stories and songs.

Bainton Fun Club
Returns on Thursday 13th September
10 am – 10:45 am. Babies and Pre-school Children Welcome. Every Thursday during Term Time. Toys, Craft, Reading, Singing. Fruit and biscuits for the little ones. A much needed cup of coffee for parents and carers!
Please contact Emma Bibby-Jones 01780 740423 for further information

Brass Band Concert
Yarwell and Nassington Brass Band are to give a concert in Barnack Church on Friday October 5th at 7.30pm. Tickets are £6.50, to include wine and nibbles. They can be obtained from any member of Barnack Church Social Committee.

House Group in Barnack
It is proposed to start a House Group in Barnack in the autumn. This will give us an opportunity to learn more about our faith and help us to become more effective members of the Christian community.
The meetings would be structured, and based initially on the Emmaus course. Some in the parish will have had experience of this, as we used a part of it in a Lent course a few years ago. I suggest a preliminary meeting on Sunday evening, September 16th, at 7.00pm at 1, Canon Drive, to plan the way forward. We could then decide time, frequency of meetings, venue etc. If you would like to know more pleased speak to Canon Margaret or myself, or come, without obligation, on September 16th. Elizabeth Young.

Parish Council Reports and Notices

Barnack Parish Council Meeting
At the August meeting of Barnack Parish Council it was reported that the surface water drain gullies have been cleared throughout the village, Pudding Bag Lane verge and the entrance to The Old Stackyard are being addressed, the rubbish by the side of the B1443 in Pilsgate still has not been cleared, but the council agreed to ask for this work to be delayed until after the straw has been carted through the harvest period.
The broken drain cover in Bishop’s Walk has been repaired and the white line outside the post office has been obliterated. Mr Palmer and Mrs Berrill had attended the Rural Working Group meetings on the environment and transport links and Mrs Woollard had attended the planning committee meeting, the PCC Liaison meeting and the Ward Councillors meeting.
The ward councillor’s budget this year will be spent on printing the final Clare Country Walks leaflet, converting paths throughout all the villages to become pedestrian/cycle paths to enable safe access between the villages and to establishing a quiet route for pedestrians. PCC are to be encouraged to progress the establishment of the weight limit for the B1443 as soon as possible. The information board for Barnack, which is being financed by last year’s ward councillor’s budget is now being printed and Mr Crowson has kindly agreed to obtain the piece of stone on which it will be sited. It is hoped that it will soon be in place in the Square. An application will be made for the PCC environmental grant to replace trees which were damaged by the very hot weather in 2006 and to set further trees on the north side of the B1443.
The council were concerned that PCC had approved planning permission for stables and hard standing to be established in Uffington Road, outside the village envelope, despite objections from the parish council and from residents. The council approved the replacement of all the village notice boards. A new board will also be purchased to be placed on the end the new bus shelter in the Square. In the meantime residents are asked not put notices on this bus shelter to deface it so soon after it has been purchased. Concern was expressed concerning flooding at the end of Main Street and in Station Road during heavy rainfalls. PCC is to be asked to consider a long term solution, but in the meantime a request has been made for the weeds in the gutters in Bishop’s Walk and Main Street to be sprayed and the gutters swept free of rubbish so that the rain water can have free access. Residents throughout the village, but especially on Bishop’s Walk are requested not to sweep their garden waste into the roads and down the rain water gullies as this just creates a problem for residents further down the village, whose houses are in danger of flooding. The next meeting of the council will be at 7.30 p.m. on Monday 10 September in the Village Hall.
The parish council are pleased to announce that Mrs Rachel McCallum has been appointed as the new parish Clerk. Mrs McCallum will take up her appointment on Monday 3 September.

Bishop Frank writes: Complementary Ministries

Once or twice a year an extraordinary mix of people gather with the Bishop’s Staff Team to discuss their work. They are our specialist officers. Their tasks range from care of retired clergy to leading our work in more than a hundred church schools, from developing our understanding of community cohesion in new housing areas to chaplaincy among deaf people.

A small number of these are full time staff, while others are part-time or voluntary; they reflect the commitment of our faith to a wide and complex society. They are a tremendous resource in a diocese inspired as we are by God’s passion for the world.

Because of our continuing and enthusiastic commitment to the parish system, many of our clergy and lay leaders are stretched covering a great variety of communities. Our specialist advisers and officers complement and support them so that they in their turn can offer the rich and mature ministry which meets the real needs and expectations of people. It is hard to envisage how Back to Church Sunday could happen, or becoming a Fair Trade Diocese might be achieved without the inspired work of members of our specialist team.

The depth of knowledge required of us in child protection or the flowering work in vocations are examples among many others of dedicated ministry which enriches our witness to Christ.
Much of the work of our specialists goes on behind the scenes but that doesn’t mean it isn’t appreciated. We are blessed with a team of people who offer their gifts, strengthening our resolve to see God’s kingdom come and God’s will be done. They offer an extra dimension, enriching our discipleship in every town and village. As a way of showing that specialist and parochial ministries complement one another, Sunday intercessions sometimes include prayers for our officers and advisers. As this becomes a more widespread practice we can all celebrate the wonderful riches of God’s grace among us.
Bishop Frank

Archdeacon lifts the lid on General Synod
What does the General Synod of the Church of England do? Perhaps this is not a question on the lips of every church-goer, but it is a fact that General Synod’s debates and decisions affect how all our churches behave in the face of 21st century challenges.

Christine Allsopp, Archdeacon of Northampton, is one of this diocese’s representatives on Synod and she attended its recent meeting in York. Here she gives us her perspective on the proceedings.
‘We began with some members criticising the number of presentations scheduled as opposed to “proper debates”. The Business Committee can’t win on this one but I think that we needed to hear the presentations from and about those who feel excluded:
• The Children’s Commissioner issued a challenge to us all to improve the life of vulnerable children and young people and suggested that those of us involved in church schools should ask children, “do you enjoy school?”
• John Naudé (formerly of this diocese) described what it’s like to be a priest with a disability. Another speaker reminded us that God called those with disabilities because of them, not in spite of them.
• There was a call for minority ethnic Anglicans to be valued as equal participants in the life of the Church.

We grappled with the complexities of pension provision, reluctantly passing the proposals but hoping that we could do better if the financial climate improved. It was great to hear that the number of ordinands had gone up again but we were reminded “you prayed for them, now pay for them!”

We passed the Marriage Measure (at last!) making it easier for those with a qualifying connection to a church to get married there. The debate on a Covenant for the Anglican Communion left some of us unhappy that its effect could be to exclude.

Late on Saturday evening Anne Toms’ amendment on Transforming Worship was passed, thus relieving us of endorsing 29 recommendations and requiring a report back to Synod! I was less delighted to observe members’ behaviour throughout the week. Why was it that whenever the Chairman announced that it was time for worship there was a mass exodus from the chamber?’
Reports of the July meeting of General Synod, including a trial podcast, are at: www.cofe.anglican.org/about/gensynod/agendas/july2007.html

Two dioceses unite to share retreat house
The dioceses of Peterborough and Leicester have united to share the retreat house at Launde Abbey in Leicestershire. The two bishops signed a covenant to this effect at a Launde on 24 July.
Launde Abbey is an Elizabethan Manor House surrounded by beautiful gardens, parkland and woodland. It is only a short distance across the diocesan border, at East Norton, and is easily accessible from much of our diocese.

Peterborough has been without a retreat house since the sale of Ecton House, near Northampton, some years ago when the building became unviable.
Both individuals and groups are welcome for retreats and activities at Launde. For information contact the Warden, Revd Tim Blewett on 01572 717254 or visit www.launde.org.uk

Come and make a joyful noise at Peterborough Cathedral
Parish choirs from across the diocese are invited to participate in the Diocesan Choral Festival on Saturday 13 October. It is an opportunity for parish choirs to join the cathedral choir and rehearse, then sing, Evensong.

“We hope to gather a choir of 400 or more”, said Andrew Reid, Director of Music at the Cathedral. “This year’s music includes plainsong, canticles by Daniel Purcell, and anthems by Maurice Greene, Benjamin Britten, and Charles Villiers Stanford. It’s a marvellous opportunity for us all to learn new music, increase our understanding and enhance the worship in our churches.”
Ann Vimpany, from St Peter’s Irthlingborough, was at the Festival for the first time last year. “It was Evensong like you’ve never heard it before!” she said. “Hundreds of voices raised in praise and solos by some very talented choristers - talk about making a joyful noise!”
The group led by Alan Perkins from St Peter with St James Brackley also enjoyed singing in “our truly brilliant cathedral” - and they had a great day out together. “For once the tenors outnumbered the basses,” he said.

This year’s music is obtainable from the Cathedral music department (priced £5) and there are local rehearsals for participating choirs at various churches in the diocese. If you would like to be involved email: music@peterborough-cathedral.org.uk or phone 01733 355318, from 1 September. The rehearsal is from 2pm and Evensong is at 6pm.

CHURCH CALENDAR FOR THIS MONTH

2	9.00am Holy Communion 10.15am Parish Communion	Bainton Barnack
9	10.15am Benefice Communion Bainton Patrona Festival Guest preacher: Charles Mayhew	Bainton
16	9.00am Holy Communion 10.15am Family Praise	Bainton Barnack
23	10.15am Parish Communion 6.00pm Evensong	Barnack Bainton
30	9.00am Holy Communion 10.15am Ecumenical Harvest Festival in St John's	Ufford Barnack

BARNACK METHODIST CHAPEL

Services are as follows:
2 September 6.30 pm Covenant Service at Barn Hill
9 September 10.30 am Margaret Stones
16 September 10.30 am Howard Abbott
23 September 10.30 am John Allen
30 September Ecumenical Harvest Festival

BARNACK BAPTIST CHURCH

Services are held in the Village Hall:
2 September 10.30 am
9 September 10.30 am
16 September 10.30 am Celebration Service
23 September 10.30 am
30 September 10.30 am

Elder: Graham Dunn Tel: 01780 749198

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

Elizabeth Young 740347 Bereavement/ Housebound/General Support

Ken Waller 740396 Help with Form-filling

Jenny Walsh 740991 Family & Step Family Problems

EVENTS THIS MONTH AND FUTURE EVENTS

Please see the interactive year planner for full details.
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