(For other, local, news and events scroll down)

The Death of H.M. Queen Elizabeth II

8th September 2022

It is with much sadness that we learn of the death of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. Her example of service and duty, firmly rooted in her deep Christian faith, has been inspiring and deeply appreciated across the world. Time and again through her faithful leadership, she has demonstrated great wisdom and compassion. May she rest in peace - and rise in glory.

As we give thanks for the Queen’s life of service, so we pray for the Royal Family and all who mourn her loss. Books of Condolence will be available in the churches of our benefice: please feel welcome to come into our churches, to write in the books or light a candle in thanksgiving for the Queen’s life of service.

Gracious God, we give thanks

for the life of your servant Queen Elizabeth,

for her faith and her dedication to duty.

Bless our nation as we mourn her death

and may her example continue to inspire us;

through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Book of condolence in Holy Rood Church, Wool

(Some quotes, including extracts from our late Queen's Christmas broadcasts, are on a separate page.)

(News and Events items follow below)

Harvest Celebrations on Sunday 25th September

In the D'Urberville Hall, Wool

Wool Harvest Festival Service on Sunday 25th September

Holy Rood, Wool will be holding a Harvest Service in the D'Urberville Hall at 11am on Sunday 25th September.

This will be followed by a Ploughman's Lunch after the service.

(The lunch is free of charge, any voluntary donations will be happily received in aid of Holy Rood.)

If you would like to stay for the free lunch, please phone Judy Hill on 01929 462888 or email her at reverendjudy@talktalk.net with your numbers for catering purposes.

Purbeck Village Quire

After the lunch, at 2pm, will follow a performance by the Purbeck Village Quire, also free of charge.

And for children - Messy / Forest Church

At 4pm the same day, on Sunday 25th September, "Messy Church meets Forest Church" will be held in and around the area of Holy Rood Church building.

Meet in the church by 4pm. Finishes at 5.30pm.

Tea included.

Dress for the weather and for fire-pit activities!

For more details contact the Benefice Office.

Experience Harvest for School

From Rev Jenny:

On the mornings of the 21st and 22nd of September Holy Rood will be hosting Experience Harvest for the children of Wool CE Primary School.

This is a fun, interactive experience that encourages the children to think about giving thanks to God for the harvests from the Garden, the Ocean, the Flock, the Grain and the Earth.

There are six beautiful stations to visit in and around the church, and an activity to engage with, as well as discussions about Patience, Peace, Humility, Generosity, Joy and Faithfulness. These are the Fruit of the Spirit that God helps us to develop.

Visit of Bishop Seme and his wife Mary to West Purbeck Benefice

It was a real joy to welcome Bishop Seme Nigo Abiuda, Bishop of the Diocese of Panyana in South Sudan, and his wife Mary, to St John the Baptist Church, Bere Regis for a service of Holy Communion on Wednesday this week (10th August 2022).

Bishop Seme and Mary are part of a delegation of bishops from our Salisbury Diocesan Link with Sudan and South Sudan who were staying in homes across the diocese this past week, following the Lambeth Conference. Huge thanks to Erica and Sandy Moriarty for hosting them. Bishop Seme spoke of the joys and challenges of leading a diocese which is largely dispersed as refugees because of Civil War, and asks us to pray for him and his diocese. We were really inspired and are pleased to share some information Bishop Seme has sent and some photos of their visit.

Help needed at The Dorset County Show - on 3rd & 4th of September

The Churches Tent will be at the Dorset County Show on the 3rd & 4th of September at the Dorset County Showground, Dorchester.

Are you available on either day to help in the Churches Tent?

Shifts will be between 9.00am and 5.00pm. You’ll be helping serve tea or coffee, talking to visitors and generally helping in the tent. There will also be an opportunity for you to enjoy the show at some point during the day. You will receive a Complimentary Ticket to gain admission to the Show. The rota will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Please contact myself or Liz on 01963 23570 or rural.chaplaincy@btinternet.com.

Thank you in advance for your assistance.

Revd Richard Kirlew, Agricultural and Rural Chaplain

Tuesday Home group restarts on Tuesday 6th Sept

The Monday Home Group has become the Tuesday Home group - and we plan to start again on Tuesday 6th September at 23 Hillside Road.

If you would like further details there is more information on the Groups page via this link.

Ride and Stride for Church Funds - on Saturday 10th September

Dorset Historic Churches Trust are once again inviting YOU to raise money for your local church by becoming a cyclist or to walk to a number of local/Deanery churches (or even further afield) 50% of the money you raise is returned to your church. Once again, we hope that that some of you will be keen to take part again this year.

Dorset Historic Churches Trust is delighted to announce that Ride+Stride  will go ahead on the 10th September 2022. This is an outdoor event for individuals or families to walk, cycle or horse ride, between churches. This year you might like to think of holding a Coffee Morning, or a Cream Tea afternoon. If you are a keen swimmer why not a sponsored swim. All will carry on within the limits of whatever social distancing requirements are in force at the time.

Last year Riders and Striders in Dorset raised an amazing total of £107,000 on just one day from hundreds of sponsors. 50% of the funds raised are returned to the church nominated by the participants and the other half is then available to the Trust to grant-aid churches, helping  to conserve Dorset’s churches. Over £100,000 went to help Christian churches of all denominations in Dorset that are open for public worship to maintain their fabric and widen their usability by the communities that they serve.  

After 2021’s Ride and Stride £535.00 was raised here at Holy Rood with £267.50 being returned. This year one of our riders will be our own Rev Canon Richard Bartlett who will welcome your sponsorship.

Alongside those who will be taking part I would like to encourage others to help us staff the church that day so that we will have people there to welcome the Riders & Striders to our parish church. 'You need only be there for an hour: we well be open between 10am and 6pm'. As usual water/fruit juice and biscuits will be available to those who visit.  

If you want to learn more about the Trust, log onto www.dhct.org.uk and follow the links to Ride + Stride.

Or if you prefer, please contact your local Parish Organiser for Holy Rood Church, who has the required paperwork:   Jenny Hunt at: theskypilot@sky.com

Many thanks,

Jenny Hunt - 01929 462570

Teapot Club

Teapot will take a break in August but we plan to return on 13^th September.

The dates for later this year are now in, as follows:

Benefice Service

Our last Benefice Service was on Sunday 31st July, 10.30am in God's Pocket, Chaldon Herring. Led by the Vicar with all the clergy of the benefice as well as our newly formed Benefice Choir, over 80 people joined in to worship in this unusual outdoor setting.

The gusty wind left us in no doubt it was an outdoor service and the sun was a welcome bonus along with the dry weather.

The Vicar preached on the Parable of the Talents - which were then distributed (£1 each !)

After the service some enjoyed a trailer ride, seeing wonderful views of West Purbeck, and also delicious cream teas, in the afternoon.

Teas - with the band

We hosted Wareham Town Band on the 2 July to play between 2-4pm at Holy Rood. We'd hoped for teas and stalls outside in beautiful summer sunshine. The iffy weather and windy conditions didn't really meet our hopes so we adopted Plan B -inside if wet!

It turned into a different but still very enjoyable and popular event. Thanks to the excellent Wareham Town Band, to everyone who worked hard providing teas and stalls, and all who came.

June 2022 - Celebrating The Platinum Jubilee of H.M. The Queen

On 6th February this year Her Majesty The Queen became the first British Monarch in our history to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee, marking 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth.

To celebrate this unprecedented anniversary, events and initiatives have taken place throughout the year, culminating in a four day UK bank holiday weekend from Thursday 2nd to Sunday 5th June.

The four days of celebrations included public events and community activities, as well as national moments of reflection on The Queen’s 70 years of service.

Here in Wool we celebrated with The Queen

(With thanks to Sue Burroughs for most of the the pictures)

Thanks to those who decorated the Church -

And at a special Service in the D'Urberville (jointly with the Methodist Church)

which was quickly followed by The Big Jubilee Lunch!

The Vicar and Churchwarden checked the Master Plan

Decorations all in place and tables laid -

Oh yes - and the cakes!

And away we go -

A few lucky people even got to meet Her Majesty . . .

Including Revd Jenny who had a tiara with her, just in case . . .

. . . and she wasn't the only one!

Jubilee Sunday, Wool

Our Jubilee Sunday was a great success. Over 60 people attended the Celebration Service and over 75 brought a picnic for the Lunch.  The hall looked amazing, the number of cakes was astounding, the filmshow and music added brilliantly to the atmosphere. Additionally we raised £82 for Ukraine from donations whilst offering a free 'cuppa and cake'. Huge thank you to everyone who helped set up, donated cakes, flags, bunting, cleared away or attended and ate so many cakes. It was good to be working again with our friends in the Methodist Church.

Jubilee Café Church, Winfrith

Having moved the time from 10:45 to 9:30 we were not expecting a crowd, but God is full of surprises, and we were full to bursting with adults and children and had to ship in picnic tables.  Jan did a sterling job making crowns and we reflected on Serving Others using the Queen as a wonderful example of selfless service for others.

St John the Baptist, Bere Regis

Thank you to everyone who contributed to the marvellous exhibition in the church to celebrate the Jubilee.  It was a wonderful display of local talent.  Special thanks to Alison, Jill, Diane, Clare, Glo and their teams for all the hard work.  Thank you to everyone who visited and supported, if you missed it there is a lovely video on Bere Regis Facebook page thanks to Rodney Osmond.  Donations will be given to the Thomas Williams Educational Trust which supports young people in the village. Rev Sandra.

Walking the Way of the Cross and the Resurrection

From the Vicar -

Dear friends

What a start! It has been really good to be able to meet so many of you during the first few days of ministry here in West Purbeck as we walked, talked, worshipped and enjoyed food together around the churches of the benefice during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week.

The congregation at St Laurence Affpuddle on the Monday morning was the largest crowd I have ever worshipped with on a Monday of Holy Week, and the food provided at St John the Baptist Bere Regis at the end of the walk that day was a delicious surprise – thank you.

As we set off from St Christopher, Winfrith Newburgh on the Tuesday it was good to see the work at the back of the church progressing so well, and then to pray together in St Nicholas Chaldon Herring. We then enjoyed a beautiful walk to Holy Trinity West Lulworth where we celebrated Holy Communion together in the intimacy of the chancel. On Wednesday I was thrilled to be presented with a hand crafted stick at St Andrew’s East Lulworth, which proved very useful in the walk back to Holy Rood, Wool, where we celebrated Holy Communion and then picnicked in the comfort of the west end of the church. A fantastic few days – thank you. What a start!

The Gospel readings used in the services during those three days retell the drama of the final few days of Jesus’ life, leading to his crucifixion. They are powerful and challenging. Powerful, as we reflect on Jesus’ final days, which must have been almost impossible for him to bare. Challenging, as we reflect that we are called to walk the way of the cross with him in our Christian lives too. Many of us continued this in acts of worship on Good Friday – literally walking in the way of the cross and prayerfully considering what this might that for each of us in our lives today?

But the good news is that we are called to walk the way of the resurrection with Jesus too. The amazing Gospel passages of the resurrection which we read Sunday by Sunday in the Easter season remind us time and again of how the risen Jesus brings hope out of despair, joy out of sorrow, life out of death. This is Good News - Gospel! We read how gradually for Jesus’ friends and disciples the situation of defeat they thought they were in after Good Friday is turned into faith in the risen Jesus, as he appears to them and transforms their lives again. This is not some ‘papering over of the cracks’, the death and resurrection of Jesus is God taking seriously the pain of sin and evil, suffering and death, and transforming them through the death and resurrection of Jesus into life and hope and a promise of eternity.

We are called to walk in the way of the resurrection: to be bearers of this Good News! Where are the situations of despair and sorrow and death where we are called to bring the light of faith and hope and joy? Maybe they are in our own lives, or in our families, or in the communities we are part of, or perhaps we can consider this on a more global scale, as we continue to pray and act for justice for the people of Ukraine, and other places of suffering.

My prayer in this Easter Season is that together we will walk in the way of the resurrection, and as we do, become Good News for those around us. Surely that is good reason to repeat the Easter Acclamation time and again: Christ is Risen, he is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Your friend and Vicar

Richard

_________________________

Holy Week 2022 Walking round the Benefice

There are some pictures to go with the Easter message, and see the Benefice website here.

___________________

Easter Flowers in Holy Rood

_

Many thanks to all our talented flower arrangers, everyone who donated flowers, and to Sue Burroughs for the pictures.

Revd Canon Richard Bartlett

Canon Richard's installation was on Thursday 7th April. He was invited to write to introduce himself and his contribution is on the page at this link.

After the service, he wrote to us:

A note of thanks...

Thank you so much to everyone who contributed in any way to the beautiful service for my licensing on Thursday evening, and the lovely reception afterwards. The whole evening was such an encouragement to me as I begin ministry with you, and many of our friends and family commented on how they felt welcomed by you all. So thank you!

I am conscious that many of you were not able to be there, and look forward to meeting you very soon. Thursday was a great start and I look  forward to a long and fruitful ministry with you in the years ahead.....

In the short term, I look forward to continuing the Holy Week journey with you, and to celebrating the joyous feast of Easter with you all.

With my thanks and prayers,

    Richard

Holy Week 2022 Walking round the Benefice

There are some pictures to go with the Easter message, and see the Benefice website here.

Experience Easter

Church and School combined in Wool, to set up a series of four Stations created in the Churchyard, in order to give an idea of the Easter story in four episodes.

The full description with its readings, thoughts, and prayers is far better than the very abbreviated outline that appears below but this might give you a general idea of what happened.

"Come and see the place where he lay," invited the angel. And suddenly, Jesus met them. He was actually standing right there!

Each child was given a wildflower seed, and encouraged to look at how dead it seems. But we know that once planted in the earth, it will break out of its brown shell and new life will begin.

Each was asked to find a secret place in the churchyard and plant the seed in the ground, thinking of it as a symbol that reminds us of the new life available to all through Jesus' resurrection.

With many thanks to the construction team and hosts

From the Headteacher:

I just wanted to pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who put this together for our pupils. Yet again, both children and staff came back talking really positively about the session and it was clearly not only a useful time but also a very special one.

Please do share my thanks with the volunteers who made Experience Easter possible.

Take care and hope to see you soon,

Ellie

Ellie Griffiths, Headteacher at Wool CE Primary School

With many thanks to the construction team and hosts

From the Headteacher:

I just wanted to pass on our sincere thanks to everyone who put this together for our pupils. Yet again, both children and staff came back talking really positively about the session and it was clearly not only a useful time but also a very special one.

Please do share my thanks with the volunteers who made Experience Easter possible.

Take care and hope to see you soon,

Ellie

Ellie Griffiths, Headteacher at Wool CE Primary School

Messy Church Online - Mothering Sunday

From the Vicar -

Dear friends

What a start! It has been really good to be able to meet so many of you during the first few days of ministry here in West Purbeck as we walked, talked, worshipped and enjoyed food together around the churches of the benefice during Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday of Holy Week.

The congregation at St Laurence Affpuddle on the Monday morning was the largest crowd I have ever worshipped with on a Monday of Holy Week, and the food provided at St John the Baptist Bere Regis at the end of the walk that day was a delicious surprise – thank you.

As we set off from St Christopher, Winfrith Newburgh on the Tuesday it was good to see the work at the back of the church progressing so well, and then to pray together in St Nicholas Chaldon Herring. We then enjoyed a beautiful walk to Holy Trinity West Lulworth where we celebrated Holy Communion together in the intimacy of the chancel. On Wednesday I was thrilled to be presented with a hand crafted stick at St Andrew’s East Lulworth, which proved very useful in the walk back to Holy Rood, Wool, where we celebrated Holy Communion and then picnicked in the comfort of the west end of the church. A fantastic few days – thank you. What a start!

The Gospel readings used in the services during those three days retell the drama of the final few days of Jesus’ life, leading to his crucifixion. They are powerful and challenging. Powerful, as we reflect on Jesus’ final days, which must have been almost impossible for him to bare. Challenging, as we reflect that we are called to walk the way of the cross with him in our Christian lives too. Many of us continued this in acts of worship on Good Friday – literally walking in the way of the cross and prayerfully considering what this might that for each of us in our lives today?

But the good news is that we are called to walk the way of the resurrection with Jesus too. The amazing Gospel passages of the resurrection which we read Sunday by Sunday in the Easter season remind us time and again of how the risen Jesus brings hope out of despair, joy out of sorrow, life out of death. This is Good News - Gospel! We read how gradually for Jesus’ friends and disciples the situation of defeat they thought they were in after Good Friday is turned into faith in the risen Jesus, as he appears to them and transforms their lives again. This is not some ‘papering over of the cracks’, the death and resurrection of Jesus is God taking seriously the pain of sin and evil, suffering and death, and transforming them through the death and resurrection of Jesus into life and hope and a promise of eternity.

We are called to walk in the way of the resurrection: to be bearers of this Good News! Where are the situations of despair and sorrow and death where we are called to bring the light of faith and hope and joy? Maybe they are in our own lives, or in our families, or in the communities we are part of, or perhaps we can consider this on a more global scale, as we continue to pray and act for justice for the people of Ukraine, and other places of suffering.

My prayer in this Easter Season is that together we will walk in the way of the resurrection, and as we do, become Good News for those around us. Surely that is good reason to repeat the Easter Acclamation time and again: Christ is Risen, he is Risen indeed, Alleluia!

Your friend and Vicar

Richard

_________________________

Holy Week 2022 Walking round the Benefice

There are some pictures to go with the Easter message, and see the Benefice website here.

A Prayer during a Pandemic (based on Habakkuk Ch. 3 v17-19)

Though the people of the world are suffering and fearful and jobs and businesses are at risk and many are unemployed

Though many are dying as their breath fails and families are kept apart and are in despair

Though front line workers and the NHS in their commitment and compassion are exhausted

Though a friendly handshake or hug is not allowed and we face each other with our masks

Though many are anxious about what the future holds especially the young

Yet we will rejoice in the Lord God who is our strength and will never fail us. His Spirit lifts our hearts and minds as He journeys with us through Jesus Christ Our Lord

AMEN

With thanks to Chris Corteen

(One response to a question in the Monday Home Group)

Prayers for Ukraine

"We pray at this time for the people of Ukraine and for a new peace in our time. For the leaders of nations, and wisdom in decision making and international diplomacy. For safety and freedom from fear and persecution. We pray too for the church in that land, and the Diocese of Europe."

Bishop Karen

The Archbishop also shared some thoughts on radio 4 and they are reproduced at this link.

Reflecting through Lent - Diocesan Lent Devotionals 

There is a series of weekly reflections and prayers that the Diocese offer us to use during Lent. As we walk with the Lord, we remember Jesus put himself in the wilderness for 40 days to be tempted. He set out to pray and focus away from everyday distractions before he began his public ministry. 

Hear from a range of contributors, exploring topics on:

Week 1: Evangelism

Week 2: Discipleship 

Week 3: Collaboration 

Week 4: Leadership

Week 5: Serving Others 

Week 6: Embracing Justice 

Week 7: Equipping

To download a copy click on this link.

For Walk, Talk & Worship please feel free to join in as much or as little as you are able. We hope to share transport for those who leave cars in one place and need to get back to collect it. Bring your own picnic lunch and maybe something to sit on!

Monday 11th April

Walk, Talk & Worship 10am Morning Prayer at St Laurence’s Affpuddle.

Walk to St John the Baptist, Bere Regis

12:30pm Holy Communion followed by picnic lunch

Tuesday 12th April

Walk, Talk & Worship 10am Morning Prayer, at St Christopher’s, Winfrith Newburgh

Walk to Holy Trinity West Lulworth via St Nicholas, Chaldon Herring

12:30pm Holy Communion followed by picnic lunch

Wednesday 13th April

Walk, Talk & Worship 10am Morning Prayer at St Andrew’s, East Lulworth

Walk to Holy Rood, Wool

12:30pm Holy Communion followed by picnic lunch

Thursday 14th April Maundy Thursday

11am Chrism Mass at Salisbury Cathedral – everyone in all forms of ministry is encouraged to go.

Services of Foot washing and Holy Communion

4:30pm Holy Rood, Wool

7pm St John the Baptist, Bere Regis and St Andrew’s, East Lulworth

Friday 15th April Good Friday

Walk of Witness 10am

Leaving St John the Baptist, Bere Regis and Turnerspuddle, meeting on Black Hill for 10:45 short service.

10:30am Winfrith Newburgh

Good Friday Services

10:30am Holy Rood, Wool

2pm Holy Trinity, West Lulworth

2pm Online ‘An hour at the Cross’

2:15pm St Laurence, Affpuddle

7pm St John the Baptist, Bere Regis

Important information about attending Services

Live services will only take place in accordance with the Government COVID regulations prevailing on the day.

For more information about services or events please contact a member of the clergy or your local churchwarden.

Electoral Roll Revision 2022 (Official Notice)

Displayed from 13th March to 9th April 2022

Pancakes on 1st March 2022

New Priest in the Lulworths

The Rev David Chillman was licensed on February 2nd as the West Purbeck Benefice's new Associate Priest based in the Lulworths, Winfrith, and Chaldon.

Rev David is an experienced priest who has been both an Anglican incumbent and a regional dean in British Columbia, Canada. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1995 and served in parishes in Hampshire, West Yorkshire and Surrey before he and his wife, Jude, emigrated to Vancouver Island in 2014.

Please pray for Rev David and his family as they settle in to Lulworth after their relocation from Canada.

The Holy Rood website (part of the West Purbeck Benefice) is hosted by Krystal Hosting, to whom we are very grateful

Send mail to the webmaster (see Contacts) with questions or comments about this web site.
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Last modified: Monday, 21 November 2022