St Mary's Newsletter January 2010 Prepared by Clive Howarth Churchwarden

Christmas

First an enormous thank you to everyone who helped with our fantastic Christmas celebrations. We had about 180 people at our Carol Service (Collection £300 to Church Funds) and 80 on Christmas Morning (Collection £204 to Julian House). I'm sure those of you who were at either of these services felt they were very special and spiritual and something of which our tiny village should be very proud.

Christmas Cracker

This was a great success, for the second time, and we'll do it again in 2010. Although it was cold and wet and Bath were playing at home that evening we still managed a good turnout and raised £500. A very big thank you to Steve Rendell who more or less masterminded the organisation of whole event on his own. Father Christmas, told me that he distributed 22 presents to children. It was good to know so many came. Thanks to Pensford Brownies and to Father Christmas and of course to everyone who contributed in so many different ways.

Ringing Floor

Phase one has been completed by Roger Dando, Builder and it has turned out even better than we expected. It's wonderful to see the ringers in action and to view the nave from the high vantage point of the new floor. We paid for this from funds you gave us and with help from the Church Estate Trust (Feoffees). Thank you everyone. Now we need to raise funds to install the kitchen and storage in the base of the tower – so be prepared

Music

We have acquired, as the result of a generous gift, an “Automatic” Hymn machine called a Hymnal Plus. http://www.hymntechnology.com/ This will enable us to augment services with quality music when Mervyn is unable to play for us. It has many capabilities that we are still exploring. It had its first outing on Christmas Morning and was deemed a great success. We are looking for one or two people who are interested in using this device and who would like to be trained on it. It's very simple. Contact Clive.

Lead Theft

Thieves have stolen lead from the roof of the porch. This has been a major blow to us because not only have we got a leaking porch but we have a great deal of work to do to repair the massive damage caused. Our investigations have discovered a substantial amount of rotten timber in the porch roof in addition to the stolen lead and damaged stonework. Peter Walker, Builder, of Burnett has been commissioned to repair the damage. Because we are a Grade II * listed building there are many hurdles to leap. Peter will start work as soon as the weather enables.

New Rector

We have appointed a new Rector and we are very much looking forward to his arrival. He is the Revd Canon John Simpson and he comes to us from St Margaret's Lowestoft where he was Team Rector. John's Licensing Service will be at Publow on March 23 and his first service will be a Benefice Communion on Palm Sunday March 28 at 09:30 in St Mary's Compton Dando. You are all cordially invited.

Events

•  The next Big Breakfast is at 10:30 January 10 th in the Village Hall. Tickets from Clive and Lorna

•  There will be a Church working party on Sat 9 th January at 09:00. As usual Liz and friends will provide refreshments. If it's still very cold there are lots of jobs inside the Church that need attention.

•  We have a visiting choir, The Keynsham Singers, in concert on February 6 at 19:30 in Church. Their theme is Songs from around the British Isles . The funds raised will go to Church maintenance so we very much look forward to seeing you. Tickets from Jenny Davis and Clive Howarth £5 to include wine and nibbles

•  The Installation of our new Rector, John, is on March 23 at Publow at 19:00.

Services

These are as usual and please note that, despite what you may see elsewhere Evensong on the Fourth Sunday of every month is at 18:00 or 6pm in old money!

Clive Howarth

Churchwarden