St. Mary's Church
News 2009

News Articles:

Usual Services At St Mary's

First Sunday of the Month, 8am, Holy Communion in Church:
No hymns, a short sermon and about 25-30 attending for a 30 minute service using the beautiful words of the 17th century.

Every Sunday, 9.30am, Morning Service in Church: with a ‘Stay & Play’ area for parents and children and SundayKidz Club on various dates. Twice a month refreshments are served after services. The service varies between Communion, Baptisms and simple informal worship. Hymns, prayer & sermon and lasts about 1 hour for the 50 – 60 who attend.

Every Sunday at 6.30pm Evening Service: with about 30 people with a full robed 4-part Choir where parts of the Traditional Book of Common Prayer service are sung, either Evening Prayer or Holy Communion. This gives the non-singers chance to hear sung worship in a traditional form. Hymns, Canticles & Psalm together with prayer & a Sermon lasts about 1 hour.

Once a month we have the following:

Quiet Time in Church. First Monday in the month from 6.30pm A short half hour time for reflection and mediation with extended times of silence in the context of worship & prayer.
Praise Evening. Fourth Monday of the month, giving us a chance for an hours worship in church using the newer hymns of the church in a more relaxed and less formal structure.
Wednesday Afternoon Christian Fellowship on the first Wednesday of the month gathers together a group who help the church support family life through talks, demonstrations and practical service.

Every year:
Alpha Course run as an introduction to the Christian faith especially for those who have little or no church connections. It provides an opportunity to ask all those questions you have of faith and raise your own thoughts in an accepting atmosphere.
SHAPE is a discipleship course we run each year taking us deeper into the Christian faith and offering us a chance to look at our God-given gifts & skills.
Confirmation happens each year [or sometimes bi-yearly] for those who want to commit themselves to the Christian faith and to the Church of England. It is the usual way to come to share in the bread and wine of Communion.

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Winter 2009 News

Rector’s Message

It has been a busy year with plans and activities and now, with the holiday season well and truly over, we enter into the slow run up to Christmas. It never ceases to amaze me that with the summer finishing [what there was in autumn this year!], the end part of the year is always so hectic. Was this way in previous generations I wonder?

Christmas heading towards us provides a welcome break in the darkness of the winter months just as it did for our predecessors yet in a different way. Today’s shelves will be filled with all manner of things we never knew we needed or wanted and yet it’ll be a nice present for Uncle David! Christmas for us at St Mary’s will begin with the Advent Festival ‘Deck the Halls’ in church where again the local community shows it’s talent and creativity, including a concert with Beatus. No doubt earlier generations also had their celebrations and concerts in church as the focus of the village life.

So many people want a ‘traditional’ Christmas but what is one of those? A Victorian Christmas with the family all round? A Medieval Christmas with roast Swan? Or a ‘Stable’ Christmas going back to the beginning of it all?

The challenge is to make the most of the present so that we don’t fall into the trap of neither living in the past too much nor trying to live the future before it’s here. Today is what matters for it’s today that we can write, call, text or email someone to tell them that you have thought of them, that is worth far more than any off the shelf Christmas present that is here for today and tomorrow in the next raffle! Don’t let life in 2010 be like that for you.

Ian Whitehead

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St Mary’s Christmas Services & Events

By the time that you read this our preparation for Christmas will have begun with Advent and this year, our Advent Festival “Deck the Halls”

Sunday 13th December at 9.30am we invite you to a Christingle Service to think with our children about the coming pro mise of Christmas and to raise money for the work of the Children’s Society that works with children throughout the UK in every walk of life from the streets to homes.

Saturday 19th December 9am onwards decorating St Mary’s Church for Christmas through flowers, nativity, Christmas trees & candles.

Sunday 20th December 6.30pm Carols by Candlelight, this popular service attracts over 300 people and sometimes seating gets pressured. Arrive early to gain a seat and bring a torch for the point we extinguish the electric lights.

Christmas Eve 24th December our 3pm Nativity Service welcomes children, parents and grandparents for a fun start to Christmas. Come along dressed as a Christmas Character and we’ll include you in the service. Where’s the baby coming from this year?

11.30pm is our Midnight Communion because by the time we get to share the Peace and Communion it will be Christmas Day!

Christmas Day 25th December starts with an 8am Early Christmas Communion and is followed by a 10am Family Communion where we find out who’s had what for Christmas.

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“Rolleston Reviewed.”

An exhibition of pastel drawings of the village completed this year by John Underhill.

In the Old Grammar School Hall in the Churchyard, Saturday Feb 27th 11am-5pm, Sunday Feb 28th 11am-6pm, Monday Mar 1st 5pm-8pm.

Some drawings will be familiar, some less so and a few, perhaps, you won’t recognise at first but all are of some aspect I thought to be good and interesting when I noticed it. All the pictures will be for sale and the proceeds will go to support and further improve the hall. Entry free. All Welcome.

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Autumn 2009 News

Rector’s Notes

“Walk The National Forest”

In September we welcome five members of the “Walk the National Forest Mission” who will be joining us in Rolleston and Anslow from Tuesday 22nd to Sunday 27th. Sunday is also the National ‘Back to Church Sunday’ and our Harvest Festival Service.

We have planned a number of events for the time that they are with us to give everyone a chance to meet and talk to them. Please do look at the information on the church noticeboard, come along to one of the events if you are able to do so, or just keep a look out for our visitors.

In October we also plan to launch an evening course Alpha beginning on Tuesday 13th October. More details from Ian (810151). (Back to News Articles)

Fund Raising

Thanks to Rollestonians, £3,200 was raised for St Mary’s Church on July 12th when our traditional Gardens Sunday combined with a new event : - Surrounded by Scarecrows. Photos can be seen here.

A secret army of scarecrows tip-toed into place and broke cover mid-morning, on Sunday 12th July. Rolleston on Dove had been caught in a remarkable rustic pincer movement. Suddenly there were scarecrows everywhere; leaning on gates, lounging in wheel-barrows, building walls, leapfrogging gravestones, speed trapping motorists, playing games in front of the Scout HQ, even paragliding over the Alderbrook and then there was Scary Mary! This was a long awaited and most welcome invasion. There immediately followed a mass surrender as large numbers of villagers and visitors ventured from their dug outs waving maps and Garden Sunday Programmes in submission to these charming captors.

This was a special day and our thanks go to all those who made, dug, pruned sold, poured, toured, judged and sponsored. All of these contributions combined to produce an outstanding community event.

It’s going to be fun when we do it again!
St Mary’s Church Events Committee.

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Advent Event 2009

Over the past few years our “Advent Event” has become quite a tradition, we have had “Christmas Trees”, “Angels@Advent” and “Trees and Wreaths”. This year we are planning “Deck the Halls”, where we are inviting organizations and individuals to portray a favourite carol as a banner, wreath, decorated tree, etc. Suitable positions have been identified within the church for different types of displays and we look forward again to seeing the church decorated for the start of this season.

“Deck the Halls” will run from Friday November 27th – Tuesday December 1st from 1-6pm. Entrance £2.00 The Old Grammar School will be open for refreshments and the legendary 4-C’s Craft and Produce Stall.

Again, as has become traditional we shall enjoy an evening of singing on the first night with “Beatus” choral, who will present a programme of “Music for Advent”.

If you are interested in joining in this event, either by making your own carol display or helping to steward the church etc. or would just like more details of how you can help please give Sylvia Martin a ring on 01283 813320. (Back to News Articles)

Thank You

The East Staffordshire Town Twinning Association wishes to thank the Rector and Churchwardens for allowing us to use the Old Grammar School, and all the helpers from Rolleston, who contributed to a very successful concert (with soups and puddings!) held earlier this year to raise funds for the Association, which is dedicated to maintaining contacts , particularly amongst young people, between East Staffordshire and Lingen, Germany. Just over £430 was made.

Further details of the Association can be obtained from the Secretary, Tom Dawn, tel:-01283 54472; e-mail:- Tom.Dawn@homecall.co.uk

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Summer 2009 News

St Mary’s Fund Raising

Rolleston Gardens Sunday will be on July 12th this year and combined with a Scarecrow Trail - look out for the stall at Community Day. As always we would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to open their garden for us. Rolleston has always been proud of the variety of gardens which take part, large and small, flowers or vegetables, wild or manicured, or any combination!! If you would like to know more of what is involved, please have a word with Sylvia Martin on 813320 or Ian Whitehead on 810151.

Following the interest in last year’s “History Day” which was repeated later in the year, several Rollestonians have agreed to contribute to History Day 2 on Saturday October 17th .

St Mary’s are again planning an Advent Event to take place Friday 27th November – Tuesday 1st December. This year the theme will be “Carols” and - a real challenge – not just Trees & Wreaths, but wall hangings, models……. We hope that the many organizations which have taken part in previous events will wish to participate again and letters of invitation to a meeting in St Mary’s on July 15th at 7.00pm will be on their way later. Individual contributions will be very welcome also, just keep a look out for reminders about the meeting nearer the date.

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Rector’s Notes

Confirmation at St Mary’s on Sunday 19th July at 10am. Confirmation is open to anyone who wishes to be known as part of St Mary’s church and to be identified as a Christian. Confirmation admits the individual to the Bread & Wine of Communion and Bishop Gordon of Stafford will take the service. Anyone wishing to be confirmed needs to contact the Rector, Ian Whitehead as soon as possible. Tel 01283 810151

On Gardens Sunday this year we hope to have an exhibition in the church of a photography project by the Year 11 Art BTec students of De Ferrers College that was based around the church. This is in addition to the amazing Gardens of the village and those scarecrows that will be seen in surprising places!

Come September the village is going to be visited by a group of walkers walking the National Forrest and who will be staying in the village for a few days. The churches are hosting them with a number of events being planned so that you can get to meet them. What’s special about them? Wait for Back to Church Sunday in September to find out.

This year sees the 10th Anniversary of Chris & I with the girls arriving in the village on Oct 12th for our Induction Service with the Bishop of Lichfield. Becky was 11 and is now at work in Burton. Amy was 7 and is now on her way to Burton College. Chris & I remain as always running the house, church & parish and it remains wonderful to be here with you even after 10 years. Thank you to all who have made these 10 years so good for us all.

Ian Whitehead

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Rolleston Vintage Transport & Grand Garage Sale Tour
Monday 25 May, Croft & Village

The Rolleston Transport Festival featured vintage vehicles including cars, motor cycles, lorries, campers, tractors, buses, bikes, coracles and stationary engines on the Croft (behind the Spread Eagle) provided by 'local' enthusiasts. The show ended with a flypast by a Dakota. The event was combined with a Grand Garage Sale Tour taking place on the same day in which over 40 villagers opened their garages, lofts, outhouses or sheds to sell their 'junk' for someone else to treasure! Throughout the day Tim Stubbs' vintage bus carried people around the garage sales. The two events helped raise money for St Mary's Church Fabric Fund. Some pictures can be seen here.

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Spring 2009 News

Lent

Lent will soon be upon us and the planning of what is happening over this period is underway.

Sunday 22nd March, 9.30am
Mothering Sunday Service at St Mary’s

Friday, 10th April, 10am
Joint Methodist/St Mary’s Good Friday Service in the Methodist Chapel.

Friday, 10th April 2pm
Good Friday Service of mediation on the Cross of Christ at St Mary’s

Sunday 12th April Easter Day Services:

8.00am Early Holy Communion
9.30am Family Communion
6.30pm Evensong Celebration of the Resurrection of Christ

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Rector’s Message

At the end of 2008 we were visited at St Mary’s by a Mystery Worshipper! You may have heard of Mystery Shoppers who rate the shop or store being visited well this was the same - church style. A sort of OffChurch visit of informal inspection. We scored highly in some areas but not in others.

The Mystery Worshipper couldn’t find the access ramp…which to our mind was a plus as it was designed to blend in…a little too much maybe? They also thought that St Mary’s had been a Methodist Church because of the Methodist’ ‘Holely Angels’ at the back of the church…no accounting for misunderstandings. They also couldn’t find any refreshments being served in the ‘Trinity Room’ as that happens at Anslow…which church was she at? They also complained that the church door opened into the centre of the church …not a lot we can do there, blame the Norman builders of 1133.

Laughter and amazement aside our Mystery Worshipper did highlight some aspects of how we welcome you to your church. We can do better!

However ... over the past couple of years our Sunday attendance has risen steadily to now nearly 100 on a Sunday. We know it is not easy stepping into a new place for the first time, either the first ever, or the first time after a number of years.

Through the door and… ‘where do I sit?’, ‘is it someone else’s seat?’, ‘what do I do?’ and ‘will I know anyone?’. These are just some of the first time questions we ask ourselves whenever we go somewhere new but these questions are ones that people at St Mary’s are used to.

It doesn’t matter where you sit at St Mary’s but individuals often gravitate to the same area out of custom. There are no seats that ‘belong’ to anyone but if they usually sit where you are sitting there are no worries they’ll either sit with you and chat or sit behind you and chat.

The services are friendly and welcoming and are usually well run and guided as long as the Organist and the Rector know what hymns are coming up – tunes are something else though! As for knowing anyone there, you will be surprised at perhaps now many you will know and if not, then we are always introducing new friends to each other.

St Mary’s is the village church and your church, to which you are always welcome either on a Sunday or during the week as the church is always open Monday to Friday, 9am to 4pm. See you on Sunday?

Ian Whitehead

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St Mary's Fund Raising

Many thanks to all the organisations and individuals who took part in our Christmas Trees and Advent Wreaths Festival. Around 700 people visited and almost £4,500 was raised for the church funds. The opening concert by Beatus was well supported and we are grateful to them for coming to entertain us again. Once again Rolleston has proved a wonderfully generous and creative place to be, and we are grateful to you all. We are already looking to the 2009 Advent event, which should again prove a challenge – expect to hear more later in the year!!

You will read elsewhere about the Transport Festival and Grand Garage Sale Tour on May 25th – novel ventures being coordinated by Mr John Morris and Mrs Bunty Bradbury respectively, please give them your support.

We shall again be having Rolleston Gardens Sunday – July 12th this year. Gardens Sunday will be combined with a Scarecrow Trail, look out for the information stall at Community Day and more details in next issue of Rollestonian. As always we would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to open their garden for us. Rolleston has always been proud of the variety of gardens which take part, large and small, flowers or vegetables, wild or manicured, or any combination!! If you would like to know more of what is involved, please have a word with Sylvia Martin on 813320 or Ian Whitehead on 810151.

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Women's World Day of Prayer

This annual service, which is open to everyone has been prepared by Christian women in Papua New Guinea, and the title is “In Christ there are many members yet one body”. The service will be held in St Mary’s church at 2.15pm on Friday 6th March and our speaker is Sue Laws, a lay worker on the Methodist circuit. Refreshments will be available after the service – please come and join us.

Gill Pyne

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Disasters Emergency Committee and Bishop of Jerusalem issue appeals for Gaza

The 13 British aid agencies which make up the Disasters Emergency Committee have issued an emergency appeal for the citizens of Gaza.

Donations to the DEC appeal can be made to any DEC member.

Donations to the Bishop of Jerusalem’s appeal can be made through USPG’s Radid Response Fund

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© Richard Bush

Last updated: 29 December 2009