CHURCHWARDENS
Keinton Mandeville with Kingweston - Mrs. Jane Sedgman (01458 223237), Mr.Gordon Parker (01458223058)
Lydford on Fosse - Mr. Michael Esden (01963 240325), Mr Terry Larkins (01963 240538)
Barton St David - Mrs. Wendy Eitzen (01458 850011), Mr. Michael Knight (01458 851215)
Wheathill Priory Benefice
CHURCH SERVICES
24th Dec 4:00pm KEINTON MANDEVILLE Crib Service; 11:15pm KEINTON MANDEVILLE Midnight Communion
25th Dec 8:30am BARTON St. DAVID Holy Communion; 10:30am LYDFORD Family H/C
28th Dec 8:00am KEINTON MANDEVILLE BCP Holy Communion; 10:30am LYDFORD Holy Communion
4th Jan 9:00am LYDFORD Early Birds; 10:30 am KEINTON MANDEVILLE Benefice H/C
11th Jan 8:30am BARTON St DAVID Holy Communion; 10:30 am LYDFORD Holy Communion; 6:00 pm KEINTON MANDEVILLE Evening Prayer
18th Jan 9:00am KEINTON MANDEVILLE BCP Holy Communion ; 10:30 LYDFORD Holy Communion
25th Jan 8:30am BARTON St DAVID Holy Communion; 10:30 am IKEINTON MANDEVILLE All Age Praise ; 6:00 pm LYDFORD Evening Prayer
1th Feb 9:00am LYDFORD Early Birds ; 10:30 am BARTON St. DAVID Benefice H/C
8th Feb 8:30am BARTON St DAVID Holy Communion; 10:30 am LYDFORD Morning Prayer; 6:00 pm KEINTON MANDEVILLE Evening Prayer
22nd Feb 8:30am BARTON St. DAVID Holy Communion; 10:30 am KEINTON MANDEVILLE All Age Communion.; 6:00 pm LYDFORD Evening Prayer
25th Feb 7:30 pm KEINTON MANDEVILLE Ash Wednesday H/C
1st Mar 9:00am LYDFORD BCP Holy Communion; 10:30 a KINGWESTON Holy Communion
Vicars Letter
Given the uncertain'times we find ourselves living in I was particularly struck by a recent John Bell Radio 4 'thought for the day; but then 1 find he's always worth a listen. On this occasion he was reflecting on what the prophets might have had to say about our ecological, ethical and economic dilemmas; rooted as they are in the choices that we have corporately made over the years. He concluded that insight was always preferable to hindsight when it came to making decisions. 1 then came across the following story which I've abdridged. If you would like the full text, email me please, your choice!
At a fundraising dinner for an American school serving special needs a. father spoke of his mentally and physically disabled son Shay. On passing a park where some boys were playing baseball, Shay had asked his father "Do you think they'll let me play?'. The father knew most boys wouldn't want Shay on their team but he also knew just how much Shay needed a sense of belonging and acceptance by others. So he asked one of the boys on the field if Shay could play. The team were losing as the game was drawing to a close but the boy said I guess so, well try and give a him a bat in the last innings". Anyhow, by the time it came for Shay to step up to the plate, the team had recovered and only need one home run to win. So do they let Shay in and give away their chance to win the game? Surprisingly perhaps, he was given the bat. The pitcher, recognizing that the other team was putting winning aside for this moment in Shay's life, moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least make contact. The ball came straight back to the pitcher who now only had to throw it to 1st base for the game to be over. Instead he wildly overthrew and the crowd shouted 'Shay, run to first! Run to first!' He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled and everyone yelled, 'Run to second, run to second!' By the time he made it the fielder had the'ball and he too massively overthrew it. All were screaming 'Shay, Shay, Shay, all the Way Shay.' He got help from an opposing player to get to 3rd who then pointed him towards home. By now the boys from both teams and the spectators were on their feet screaming, 'Shay, run home! Run home!'As he stepped onto the plate Shay was cheered as the hero who hit the grand slam and won the game for his team. He didn't make another summer; he died that winter having never forgotten being the hero for a day.
We all have opportunities every day to make a difference in the choices we make; often in the seemingly trivial interactions of which we are part. Tke question is, do we choose to share a spark of love and humanity or do we make the world a little bit colder by choosing not too? Perhaps if in this coming year we can at least get the small choices right, then perhaps by God's grace we may gain the insight to make the bigger choice alright?
Oberammergau 2010
Many of you will know that for centuries the Austrian village of Oberammergau has staged a world famous and deeply moving passion play. The performances leave a profound impression upon all who attend this ten -yearly event and it is hoped to arrange a benefice party to the next performance in 2010. The proposal is to book an official package with an accredited coach tour operator but places are filling fast If you are interested in taking part or would just like more information then you are invited to an open evening at The Rectory on Tuesday, 6th January at 6:30pm. In the meantime, if you would like more information then please do speak to Trevor.
Home Communion
If you or anyone you know living within these parishes and who would appreciate receiving Holy Communion at home for whatever reason; then please do contact the vicar who will be happy to arrange a visit
Lent Course
As 1 write Christmas hasn't even arrived but before the next magazine Lent will be upon us. It is my intention to once again run a course across the parishes and so details will be firmed up in the New Year. The next magazine will include a full programme.
KEINTON MANDEVILLE METHODIST CHURCH - Minister. Revd Peter Bennett - Tel. No 01963 351598 (methodist church)
Services
Sunday 4th January Morning Worship 10:00 a.m. Mr Geoff Chapman
Sunday l lth January Morning Worship 10:00 a.m Mr Roy Bryant
Sunday 18th January Morning Worship 10:00 a.m Mr Rob Haskins
Sunday 25th January Covenant Service 10:00 a.m Rev Nick Larkin
Sunday 1st February Morning Worship 10:00 a.m Mrs Maureen Bossom
Sunday 8th. February Morning Worship and Holy Communion 10:00 a.m Rev. Ken Chalmers
Sunday 15th February Morning Worship 10:00 a.m Mrs Berenice Robinson
Sunday 22nd February Morning Worship 10:00 a.m. Mr David Sawyer
Sunday 1st March Morning Service 10:00 a.m. TBA
Everyone at the Methodist Church hopes that you had a good Christmas and that you have a peaceful and blessed New Year. In the days and weeks leading up to Christmas it has been good to work with our friends from the Parish Church. Thank you to all who supported the Coffee morning and the Christmas Sing - a - Long. It was really good to see you there and the winners of the quiz, at the coffee morning, with 3 clear points, were,Alison Sutton and Alex Tripp who did a joint entry, with a little help from their friends! We hope to plan more joint events through out the coming year.
Joint Bible Studies with Somerton
The next Bible study will be on Monday 12th January at 7.45p.m at Walnut Cottage, Queen.Street, Keinton Mandeville. We will be continuing the series of studies, based on the book of Acts. The date for February is Monday 2nd February at 19 Sevenacres Somerton. These studies are open to everyone and if you would like to come but need a lift please contact Mike on 223305.
Games Evening
There will not be a games evening in January, but we shall be back on Tuesday 3rd February so if you have not been to our games evening, then do come along and join us. It is just a fun evening where you can have a laugh and relax, as well as getting some exercise playing the games. (I didn't realise table tennis could be so energetic!) If you would like to join in some of the activities or just come for a chat, then please do come to the Methodist Church Hall from 7.30 pm. This. group is for all who live in Keinton or the surrounding villages. The March games evening will be on Tuesday 3rd March and there after mostly on the first Tuesday of the month.
Coffee Morning
The first Coffee morning of 2009 will be on Thursday 22nd January, and the next one will be on Thursday 26th February. Both coffee mornings begin 10.30a.m. Whilst we do hold the coffee morning to raise funds for the chapel the main aim of these mornings is to provide an informal atmosphere for people of the village to meet together, get to know one another and enjoy a coffee. Please do come along and join us, we always like to see new faces.