St. Paul's Church, Chippenham

North Chippenham Group of Churches

2010 Annual Church Meetings – Rector’s Report by Simon Tyndall

This is my 9^th report to the annual meetings of the churches of the North Chippenham Group of Churches – St Peter’s Langley Burrell; St Michael & All Angels’ Kington St Michael; St Nicholas’ Hardenhuish; St Paul’s Chippenham – having become Team Rector on 30^th April 2001.  It is a post I am really enjoying and find working with you and amongst you to be a great privilege.  Thank you for being the church and for all your support and encouragement over the past year.  I am aware that so many people do contribute to who we are.  Thank you – your part is important and appreciated!

It has been great to welcome Mike & Sarah Watkins (and their children) to the post of Minister at Large – and whilst aware that he is spending time concentrating on St Pauls at the moment our intention is that he spreads his wings within our Group of Churches.  In 2009 at St Paul’s there has been so much ministry at the fringe – SPARKS, baptisms, welcomers, RISE children’s centre – as well as helping St Paul’s become a church that is able to help others into fellowship with us!  It has certainly kept Mike busy!

At the same time Dave Kilmister has focussed more on the work of St Nicholas’ church and his ministry there is greatly valued.  There are plans afoot to consider building a hall – following discussions about church re-ordering.  Dave has brought a real stability and sense to the process and much experience in this field.  With families (and few facilities) there are regular all-age services at Hardenhuish church which Dave is developing along with Barbara Wood & Karen Rudge.

Kington St Michael has had a quieter year but, thanks be to God, another year of worship and fellowship in the village.  Sam Rushton is working well with the church and her regular ministry along with Pam Tayler, Tim Woodward & John Woodward is well received.  The midweek Holy Communion service is one I particularly enjoy being part of and has given us the opportunity to discover some interesting passages of Scripture and preach on them.

At Langley Burrell the introduction of new church wardens has brought a new energy and sense of joint ownership of our common life and purpose.  The Carol Service was put together by church members and I enjoyed taking a service that they had created.  There is much energy within this small community of faith.  As also at Kington St Michael, folk have enjoyed the musical ministry of Paul Bambrough which enhances our worship.

We also have Steve Cooper, Karin Needham, Ron Pool and Peter Rushton as LLMs (Licensed Lay Ministers/Readers) who are based at St Paul’s but also minister in the other 3 churches.  In February 2010 Alice Hall joins this team and Veronica Kilmister is also going forward towards this ministry.  This is a wonderful sign of people responding to God’s call – and I am always wanting to encourage folk to develop their own calling and ministry, as we sit under God’s authority within the church.

Looking back, I see that we have followed sermon series on Paul’s letter to the Philippians; Healing & Wholeness & St Luke; and Questions Jesus asks in John’s gospel.  In our midweek services we have looked at Passover & Deliverance (in Exodus); the prophet Habakkuk; the different Marys in the NT; passages only found in Mark & Matthew; and Isaiah the prophet.  That is quite a rich and varied diet and a lovely way to become more confident in Bible knowledge!

Our Ministers along with our Church Wardens continue to form our Group Leadership (which aims to meet 4/5 times a year).  And I want to thank our Church Wardens for all they do – Veronica Kilmister (until 09), Sarah Cook & Caroline Preston (from 09); Martin Ellett, Judy Ellett, Michael Meilton & Wendy Meilton; Derek Boulton & Deborah Loveday; Pam Tayler & Colin Labouchere.  You provide caring, responsible leadership which is much appreciated – thank you for all you do!  And at St Paul’s our Leadership Team consisted of Alice Hall (Outreach); Karin Needham (Caring for Ourselves); Martin Ellett (Property & Resources); Ann Tyndall (Out of Parish); Mike Watkins (Youth & Children); Michael Meilton (Administration) whilst I covered Worship.

I want to take this opportunity to thank Kay Mason for the work she did in the Group Office and Jackie Beeney who has taken over the role.  And thank you to Stephen Cozens for editing CLARION until it ceased in mid 2009.  In truth people were not contributing articles to it and it had served its time!  At St Paul’s there are regular newsletters and I do try to make sure that as much information as possible is circulated in the parish.  Also, thanks to Amanda & Rob Kingsland, Jon Davies & Dick Wood for all they do running the websites for St Paul’s (www.stpaulsweb.co.uk) & Hardenhuish churches (www.harnish.org.uk).

Clearly, the response at St Paul’s to the re-ordering appeal has been wonderful and I am very excited by the prospect of work starting after Easter on the entrances, under the tower and to make rooms in the vestry area.  It is much overdue and I want to thank those who have piloted this through the church and all who have contributed to the finances.  It is a lovely affirmation of God at work amongst us!  I am sure the autumn Healing & Wholeness course had great effect on us as a body as well as on individual lives; and this response is some of the visible fruit.

As you know I also have the role of Area Dean of Chippenham which I find both challenging and enjoyable.  I do find it a privilege to work with the excellent clergy and lay leaders of the churches in our deanery – and we are very blessed by having Aurea Hart as Lay Chair.  There is a real sense of purpose and mission as we try to help ‘release the energy’ of God’s people.  I do find that a very good strapline for what the diocese wants us to do.  (And I was most heartened as the Group Leadership shared with Archdeacon Tim McClure things we are doing and ways in which energy is being released in our churches, parishes and area – there is so much… including BLAST, Cornerstone Cafe, RISE, general incarnational ministry in the parishes – we are involved in our locality – DOORWAY, Nightshift etc.)

If you have not heard about it, Ann & I had a very interesting time in Thailand.  It was great to catch up with Anjali & Neil Kanagaratnam and see how they have settled in.  Also, we saw Christian mission work through Christchurch Bangkok; CMS mission partner Gail Phillip; Martin & Debbie Hosken’s work with SIL in Chiang Mai; Friends of China; Victory Family Church in Pattaya; and met the ALPHA co-ordinator for Singapore and SE Asia.  In that context, Ann & I learned so much about our Christian faith and it was amazing to see what people are doing for God.  A Bhuddist country is not an easy place in which to be a Christ follower!  But it is a great place to learn to rely on God!  (PS we did also enjoy the sites, food, beaches and swimming – it was a lovely way to mark 25 years of marriage!)

Also I want to mention that this year I have enjoyed Quiet Days at Nympsfield; continue to be a Trustee of the Revelation (Bookshop); regularly volunteer at The Harbour drop-in for asylum seekers and refugees in Swindon; and take school assemblies at St Paul’s & Kington St Michael primary schools, and sometimes at St Nicholas’ special school.  It has been another full year and in a world of (economic) uncertainty it is good to be reminded of the unchanging nature of our God, the one on whom we can fully depend.

I think this is a great line from St Paul and it spoke to me when we preached on Philippians…

‘Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.’   (Philippians 4:8)

The Uganda Link between Chippenham and Mukono is alive and kicking! Following the successful visit of three people to Mukono for their 25th Anniversary Celebration in December, we have now invited eight Ugandans to come to Chippenham from 19th March to 8th April – last two weeks of Lent and Easter week. This gives us great opportunities for sharing with them in prayer and worship and we hope parishes will grab the chance to spend some time with our visitors.

We are now looking for people to offer hospitality, either for meals or accommodation. Whatever you can offer will be fitted into the programme if at all possible. We hope our visitors will be invited to schools, church services, Holy Week meditations or services as well as enjoying our hospitality over the three weeks. We will also want help with transport. Please contact me if you can help in any way – aurea.hart@hoedowners.co.uk, or 01225 891453.

Aurea Hart (Lay Chair, Chippenham Deanery)

For more information about the Bristol-Uganda link please see http://www.bristol.anglican.org/churches/uganda/

Open every Monday (except Bank Holidays)
from 10.30am serving till 1.00pm.
Come along for a slice of our delicious home-made
cakes or have a freshly baked jacket potato for lunch.

Advance Notice for your diaries
Christian Aid Week this year, including house to
house collection, will be Sunday 9th May to Saturday
15th May.
Also the annual CA Sponsored Walk, Run and Cycle
Ride to Maud Heath’s monument will be on Saturday
8th May, with the usual lunch at David and Veronica
Kilmister’s afterwards (more details in April, but if you
haven’t done this before and would like further
information now contact Graham Franklin).

ST PAUL’S REORDERING – with the excitement and wonderfully generous response (some £110,000 given, pledged or loaned) for the next phase of work at St Paul’s church we are looking to be able to start on this after Easter. The PCC recently gave its go-ahead and we are hoping the builders will be proceeding with the work at both the south & north entrances and the building of two vestry rooms. (The temporary curtain which went up some 18 years ago will finally be confined to history!)

ALICE HALL – I am really looking forward to joining folk in Bristol Cathedral for Alice Hall’s licensing as an LLM (Licensed Lay Minister) or Reader. She is a great asset to our ministry team and I want to wish God’s blessing on her ministry amongst us.

VERONICA KILMISTER – also, I am delighted that Veronica Kilmister was recently selected to become an LLM . She will continue her training and is expected to be licensed in February 2011.

CONFIRMATION CANDIDATES – if anyone is thinking about being Confirmed (the next service takes place on Wednesday 5 May at St Andrew’s church at 7.30pm) please could you contact me as we look towards holding some appropriate preparation for adults and/or youths.

ASH WEDNESDAY & LENT – we will be holding special services to mark the beginning of Lent at 10am on Wednesday 17 February at St Paul’s and at 10am on the 18 February at Kington St Michael. Lent is a special time – a gift to the church – a time to think and reflect on the meaning of Jesus’ passion and death – before the joyful celebration of the Resurrection on Easter Day.

WOMEN’S UNION & THAILAND – also, on Thursday 18 at 2.15pm I will be speaking to the Women’s Union in the hall about my recent trip with Ann (my wife) to Thailand. Yes, there will be some holiday snaps but I also want to reflect on the church and challenge of living as a Christian in a Bhuddist culture. I will also bring people up to date with Anjali & Neil Kanagaratnam’s life in Ban Chang.

21 FEBRUARY 10am – at this service at St Paul’s the Rev Keith Powell will come and bring the final part of our Healing & Wholeness journey. He will preach on the question Jesus asks the man at the pool ‘Do you want to get well?’ (John 5:1-15). Do come along, he is a good speak and I am looking forward to the communion and prayer ministry we can offer that day.

UGANDA REFLECTIONS – Karin Needham will be speaking on her visit to Uganda on Monday 22 February at 7.30pm at St Pauls (and showing some lovely photos too). Do come along.
ALSO, the deanery is hosting a visit from a group from Mukono in the period 19 March – 9 April and Phil Townsend & Tim Woodward will be looking for offers of accommodation and meals. Can I encourage you to volunteer – it is such a blessing to host a brother & sister in Christ from such a different context.

‘GIVING FOR LIFE’ SEMINAR – the diocese has invited John Preston (the National Stewardship & Resources Officer) to come to speak on ‘Giving for Life’ at 7.30pm on Tuesday 23 February at St Peter’s church in Frogwell. I would like to encourage anyone interested in the issue of Christian giving please to come along!

ALPHA AWAY DAY – with a very good response to the current ALPHA course we will be holding an Awayday on Saturday 6 March. Details of timing and venue can be obtained during the ALPHA evenings.

AREA DEAN ROLE – and just in case you think I don’t have enough to do… I can tell you that there are some interesting things going on in the wider deanery – with the main focus being on the so-called ‘vacancy process’ at the Corsham Benefice (where Roger the Team Rector has retired) and in the By Brook Benefice (where Val the Team Vicar has moved and Ann the Team Rector is anticipating retiring in the summer). We are hoping to make future appointments – but very much in the context of the church being both priest and people together – a joint venture, if you like, and so church is not seen as the place lay people ‘keep ticking over’ until their next priest arrives!

DIOCESAN NEWS – can now be found on the internet with interesting news from around the Diocese of Bristol on www.bristol.anglican.org/news/local

SAMUEL’S WEDDING – as you probably know, our son Samuel will be getting married on Saturday 10 April to Becky Simpson in Oswestry. Please keep them in your prayers as they start on this great adventure together. They are a lovely couple who met at university and they will be setting up home in York where Samuel is working in hospital management and Becky for the minister at St Michael-le-Belfry church.

PRAYER LABYRITH (HOLY WEEK) – having held 24 hours & 36 hours of continuous prayer at St Pauls we are looking to encourage prayer in a different format this Holy Week. Maddy Crook writes “as the prayer weekends we have provided over the last year have been such a success with really good feedback as to how people have found these times such a blessing we are taking this a step further for Easter and planning to set up a prayer labyrinth during Holy Week. We will be utilizing the south aisle now the pews have been removed we have a much larger space to enable us to be more creative. It is planned to have St Paul’s church open for a couple of hours each day during the early part of the evening, probably between 6-8 pm Mon – Sat and then during Sunday morning. The labyrinth will be a means of people journeying through the week to meditate on the journey Christ took leading up to the resurrection, I am hoping that we will also be able to offer prayer ministry for folk to pray or talk with others if they would like to.”

THEMES & READINGS – will be as follows at the morning services during January, continuing the theme (from John’s Gospel) QUESTIONS JESUS ASKS (…OF US)

• Feb 7 – Why are you trying to kill me? – Genesis 2:4-9,15-25 – John 7:14-24
• Feb 14 – Do you believe this? – Exodus 34:29-35 – John 11:17-27
• Feb 21 – Has no-one condemned you? – Psalm 51:1-12 – John 8:2-11
• Feb 28 – Do you understand? – Psalm 27:1-14 – John 13:1-15

MIDWEEK BIBLE READINGS – at our midweek services of Holy Communion (10am on Wednesdays at St Paul’s – and 10am Thursdays at Kington St Michael) we are continuing a series called on ISAIAH THE PROPHET, but also take a break for Ash Wednesday (at both churches!)

• Feb 3/4 – True fasting – Isaiah 58:1-12 – Matthew 25:34-40
• Feb 10/11 – The Lord’s glory – Isaiah 60:1-6 – Matthew 2:1-11
• Feb 17/18 – Ash Wednesday – Psalm 51:1-12 – John 8:1-11
• Feb 24/25 – The Lord’s delight – Isaiah 61:10-62:7 – Matthew 9:35-38

PRAYER FOR THE MONTH – comes from the writings of St Augustine and reminds us of our utter dependence on God.

Almighty God, you have made us for yourself,
And our hearts are restless
Till they find their rest in you.
Teach us to offer ourselves to your service,
That here we may have your peace,
And in the world to come
May see you face to face;
Through Jesus Christ our Lord
Amen

Simon Tyndall

The total value of the last two Sunday’s special Collections taken at St Pauls for the work in Haiti, was £1617.30. This amount will be sent to the ‘Christian Aid Haiti Earthquake Appeal’. We have now closed the special collection.