Extracts from the Parish News for July/August 2011

Our Churches all support a range of organisations , working in places where people are struggling  for a range of different reasons; sometimes natural disaster, sometimes the disruption caused by war or economic collapse. Behind the headlines that accompany the tragedies that seem to be forever bombarding us, are stories of pain and broken dreams. Hopes shattered through violence or exploitation that leave families and communities stripped of the security and safety that are the building blocks of flourishing lives.

Just like everyone else our Churches make choices as to which organisations we will support either on a one off basis or on a more sustained basis. We try to balance our giving between local, national and international organisations.

For example this year at St Michael’s, we have decided to support the work of the Women’s Refuge in Yeovil as our local charity. The Refuge provides essential support to women and children who have had to leave their homes because of violence. The place where we expect to be safe has for these women and their children become a place of terror because of their treatment by the men with whom their lives are bound up. Apart from the emotional scars, the women face financial struggles as they try to discover security and safety for themselves and their children. The Women’s Refuge provides an essential service in these circumstances.

On a national level St Michael’s has chosen to support the work of the Church Urban Fund; established in the mid 1980s, this charity helps to provide funding for groups and individuals trying to tackle and break the cycle of poverty. The Fund works in partnership with local churches in less prosperous areas of England. Again, behind all the headlines of doom, people show tremendous resilience and creativity in dealing with desperate situations. Over the weekend of the Wulfric Festival and through the summer months we will be displaying examples of some of their work and I encourage you to come in and take a look and read some of the stories of the people involved.

As the holiday season comes around, I wish you all a very happy summer.

With every blessing for the months ahead

Jonathan Morris

Vicar in Haselbury, Misterton and North Perrott

News from St Michael's

First of all a few thank-yous!

A lot of you have been very busy in May helping with Christian Aid collecting and the May Fair.  The Christian Aid house-to-house collection raised £655 from Haselbury, North Perrott and part of Misterton.  That is rather less than last year, but still a splendid effort.  We did not have quite enough collectors to cover every road, and people’s finances are just that bit more strained these days.   So a very big thank-you to all the collectors and the donors!

You will all agree that the May Fair on 21 May was a very enjoyable occasion.  We had the most congenial weather to appreciate the peaceful setting, the splendid entertainment, interesting stalls and all the activities for children.  A really good village event!  Financially it was also worth-while, raising about £1200 each for the school and the church.  So, another big thank you is in order to all those who helped to make it happen.  Your efforts are much appreciated.

The Concert on 9 June raised just under £500 for St Michael’s tower restoration.  On this occasion, warm thanks are due to the people who helped on the night and particularly to the generous sponsors who ensured that all expenses were covered.  We are indebted to the following:

Eden4Flowers, Bakers Farms, West Coker Garage (for the Bellringers), The White Horse, Glebe House B & B, Mr Bryan Goss, and Rivermead Garage.

And of course we are very grateful to the two artists; Ben Nabarro on violin and Gemma Rosefield on cello entertained us splendidly.  Their skill was most impressive.  It really was a treat to hear such high-class musicians.

At the time of writing the clock appeal has raised £890.  Thank you to all contributors.  I hope that by the time the new clock faces are unveiled, all 120 minutes (i.e. £1200) will be covered!

And now a round-up of forthcoming events. 

For the Wulfric Festival, please see poster on back.  Our own Crewkerne musicians Sine Nomine are going to present light-hearted music played on historical instruments which include the crumhorn, rebec and shawm,  It promises to be a really entertaining and interesting evening.

In August there will be a Book Sale in church, on …… as well as a Churchyard Clear-upon Saturday 20 August.

The churchyard always looks so much better after our mass attack and shows that the hard work is well worthwhile.     It would be good to have another go at the grass and weeds before the end of the season and we would invite as many volunteers as possible for Saturday 20th August between 9am  - 12noon.   Please bring your own tools.

During both the Book Sale and the Churchyard Clear-up there will be time to enjoy the usual delicious home made cakes.

And finally, on Saturday morning, 2 September we will have a Bric-a-Brac Stall in Falkland Square, from 10.00 am.   Contributions for this will be very welcome.  Please contact David or Jane Bridger on 72048.

(We are sorry that for technical reasons we cannot reproduce the magazine in full.)