Benefice of South Tawton with Belstone

Services June 2005
Please be assured of a warm welcome at all our services

Sunday 5th

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion, South Zeal (modern)
9:30 a.m. Family Communion, Belstone
11:00 a.m. Matins, South Tawton

Sunday 12th

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion, ( 1662 Said) Sticklepath
9:30 a.m. Parish Communion , South Tawton
( 9:30 a.m. Junior Church , Methodist School room, South Zeal)
11:15 a.m. Parish Communion, Belstone

Sunday 19th

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion, ( 1662 Said) South Zeal
( 9:30 a.m. Junior Church , Methodist School room, South Zeal)
10:00 a.m . Benefice Communion, South Tawton
6:30 p.m. Taizé Service, South Zeal

Sunday 26th

8:30 Holy Communion, ( Modern) Sticklepath
9:30 a.m. Family Communion, South Tawton
11:15 a.m. Parish Communion, Belstone
6:30 p.m. A service of Meditation with prayers for healing, Sticklepath

Sunday July 3rd

8:30 a.m. Holy Communion, South Zeal (modern)
9:30 a.m. Family Communion, Belstone
11:00 a.m. Matins, South Tawton

MEETINGS AND EVENTS

•  June 14th & 28th (Tuesdays)- Bible study, 7:30 p.m. The Rectory
•  June 20th at 7:30 p.m. OKEHAMPTON CHORAL COCIETY CONCERT   St. Andrew Church, South Tawton
•  June 25th SUMMER EVENT, St. Andrew Church South Tawton from Noon

Rectory Ramblings June 2005

Recently the banking profession has been criticised for making loans that the recipients would never be able to repay. Some things of course are priceless and whatever our circumstances we could not afford them. I believe that God's love is in such a category and that we must be ever thankful that it is freely given, a gift to us all.

Rosaleen and I stayed at Windsor Castle and we were amazed at the priceless collection of paintings and artifacts to be found there. One of the attendants told us of the Queen's feeling of duty concerning the protection of such great pieces of art, as heritage for the nation. The church, like it or not, has become a protector of heritage and while we hope our buildings are centers for prayer and worship, they are also historical structures passed down to us all by previous generations.

In April we held a meeting in Sticklepath to discuss the future use of St. Mary's Chapel. Two hundred invitations were delivered by hand, seventeen people attended! It has been decided to change the format of services (please see the service timetable) in an attempt to encourage more people to attend services. In six months time the PCC will review the situation.

In June in South Tawton we have two planned events, The Okehampton Choral Society Concert on June 20 th and the summer event on June 25 th . Both events are designed to give pleasure but they are also vital fund raisers. The Benefice maintains four buildings all with their own character and importance. I do not know how long this can continue. We must all realise that the church is not a rich organisation anymore. We were told at Windsor last week that there is no Corgi with a cheque in its mouth that comes down from the Royal Apartments to supply money for the upkeep of St. George's Chapel.

Our Benefice does not receive handouts from a central fund. Before all local work and maintenance is considered the two parishes have to raise over £13,000 for the Diocesan Common share. A regular worshiping community of around fifty people cannot continue to financially maintain this Benefice. Please consider carefully a regular gift of financial support to your church. Please support our fundraising events. I have no choice but to ask you for help and I am not ashamed to do so. If we do not all take our responsibilities seriously, then there must be no complaints if the regular worshippers and supporters of the church have to decide on changes that become inevitable and aspects of our heritage are lost forever.