This page includes various news items from the Benefice. Just click on any title bar to view the news item and download any associated document and, if there is an image, to click on it to see a larger version. Also please use the links below to select other news types including Pew News, Magazines and the Rectory Letters.
Bethlehem Baubles
Support your Church AND help families in Palestine
The Baubles are absolutely beautiful (there's a sample in the office now). They are directly helping some of the most tragic situations in Palestine. They are £20 each. I have bought at least one every year and recommend them for godchildren/grandchildren etc.
With blessings, Rev Rona
Partnering with Churches
We warmly invite churches of all denominations to support us by offering Bethlehem Baubles and Peace Lights to their congregations at Christmas. Each purchase made with your church’s unique code not only gives buyers a discount but also generates a donation directly back to your church. It’s a simple way to bless both your local community and families in Palestine.
In recent years, tourism in Palestine has almost disappeared, leaving artisans more anxious than ever about how to earn a living. Our decorations provide meaningful work and, at the same time, make beautiful, authentic Christmas gifts with a story worth sharing.
Every bauble comes in its own protective box, along with a leaflet that tells the story of our project. They’re ready to be sent as gifts around the world—no extra packaging needed.
How It Works for Churches
Each participating church will receive 50 flyers and a sample Bethlehem Bauble box. On every flyer, there’s a unique church code. When buyers enter this code at checkout on our website, they’ll receive a small discount—and £3.50 from every purchase will be donated directly to your church.
The baubles are shipped straight from our warehouse to the buyer, so it’s all very simple. All your church needs to do is share the flyers with your congregation.
We’d love for your parish to take part in this meaningful project. Every bauble sold provides vital support for families in Bethlehem, who are living through such difficult times. Together, we can bring hope and light from the very place where the Christmas story began
For further information please contact: alison@bethlehembaubles.com
Milborne Port Calendars for 2026
The Milborne Port Calendars for 2026 will be available at the Christmas Lights Switch On (Friday 28th November) and in Church on Sundays. If you wish to purchase one or more, the price is £5.00 [plus 25p if you would like to have a posting envelope as well]. We hope to have them available at other venues too or email the magazine editor.
(The cover has an amazing picture of a frog emerging from one of the water tanks up at the allotments after the extremely hot summer we have had – so happy it survived. The picture was taken by Terry Mitchell.)
Learn the Art of Church Bell Ringing
Are you looking for a unique hobby that combines tradition, teamwork, and a touch of musicality? If so, I invite you to join us at St John’s Church and learn how to ring church bells. Bell ringing is an ancient art that has been a part of British and Irish culture for centuries, marking celebrations, calling communities together, and creating a distinctive soundscape across towns and villages.
Church bell ringing involves more than simply pulling a rope; it is a fascinating blend of rhythm, technique, and coordination. Whether you have a musical background or are simply keen to try something new, bell ringing welcomes people of all ages and abilities. It’s a wonderful way to be part of your community and to keep a cherished tradition alive.
Why Should You Get Involved?
- Meet New People: Bell ringing is a social activity, providing a friendly environment where you can make new friends – often for life.
- Learn a Skill: Our experienced ringers will teach you everything you need to know, from the basics to advanced ringing methods.
- Stay Active: Bell ringing is surprisingly good exercise, keeping both body and mind engaged.
- Be Part of Something Special: You’ll help keep an important tradition alive and play a key role in community celebrations and services.
No prior experience is required. We hold regular practice sessions each Wednesday evening, and our friendly team will guide you every step of the way. All you need is enthusiasm and a willingness to learn.
If you’re interested or would like to find out more, please contact me on 01963 250660 or simply come along to one of our practice nights – Wednesdays at 7.30pm. Whether you want to try it for fun or are keen to become a regular ringer, we’d love to welcome you. Church bell ringing has been a proud tradition in Milborne Port for generations. Join us in preserving this beautiful art form and experience the joy of ringing out across our village.
Susan Wales Tower Captain
Next Bishop of Taunton
Bishop Michael has announced the appointment of the new Bishop of Taunton.
Dear colleagues,
I am delighted to share the news that this morning (22 October 2025), Downing Street has announced that Fiona Gibson will be the next Bishop of Taunton.
Fiona has done an outstanding job as the Archdeacon of Ludlow and has a huge amount of expertise that will help us as we seek to grow our church and our increase our work within our communities across Somerset. Her rural experience and educational background, in particular, will be a wonderful gift to us.
Fiona is spending today meeting people from across our diocese. She will begin her day in Wiveliscombe, meeting clergy, church volunteers and members of the rural community at St Andrew’s Church, before heading to Taunton. There she will enjoy a tour of Pyrland’s Church of England Secondary School and a visit to the Without Borders Cafe, which employs refugees and offers work experience to asylum seekers, and is run by the charity CHARIS Refugees in Taunton.
From there she will make her way to Glastonbury to meet with clergy and volunteers at St John’s and St Benedict’s before joining in with the school assembly at St Benedict’s Junior School, Glastonbury. She will then return to Wells to meet staff at the diocesan offices before attending Evening Prayer at Wells Cathedral.
Please join me in praying for Fiona and her family as she prepares to take on this role next year.
Bishop Michael
Charity and Mission October 2025
During October 2025 St John's will be supporting Dorset Youth for Christ.
Based in Blandford Forum their mission is to help young people to explore a personal relationship with Jesus and to help them gain confidence and self-worth and reach their full potential.
Paid opportunities to support the church in part-time roles
Would you like to top up your income with a part-time role in the village?
St John's Church is looking for a Verger (person to get the church ready for services mostly on a Sunday and Wednesday, including keeping it clean and locking / unlocking the church 6 days a week). The role is 12h per week, paid at the national living wage (£12.21 per hour).
This role could be split between two people, one taking on cleaning duties, the other the preparation for church services.
If you would be interested in any aspect of this opportunity, please contact Reverend Rona on 01963 845278, revrona@gmail.com.
St John’s Church Summer Draw and Fete
We would like to acknowledge and thank the generous business supporters who donated prizes for the Summer Draw in July. In addition to this list, we also wish to thank the kind individuals who donated a wide selection of great prizes which enabled the Draw to realize a large amount towards the Fete’s success. We raised well over £2,000.
- Lord Charles Allen
- Bristol Road Garage
- Wayne Pullen
- Martyn Else
We would also like to thank members of “One for the Road” for the live music.
St John’s Church Events Committee
Supporting those living with dementia
The Connect bulletin from Bath and Wells Diocese includes mention of the Memory Lane service held in St John's Church, Milborne Port. The full text of the news item can be found on the Bath and Wells website and can be read here.
Little Jays – new baby and toddler group
Little Jays – new baby and toddler group, starting Friday 19 September 2025 9:30am at Church House, Milborne Port and continuing every Friday in term time. Parents & carers, come and enjoy time together while the children play. Playtime, story time and rhyme time. Refreshments provided. Nominal charge.
Further info contact Louisa on 07980 141821.
Organ Recital raised £1,000
The organ recital held on 8th July in St John's Church, Milborne Port raised over £1,000. The church was very full to hear Michael Bawtree play works by Bach and other composers. The evening started with wine and nibbles served in the sunshine outside the church.
Charity and Mission
During July 2025 St John's will be supporting The Roost
They are an outreach project run by Yeovil Community Church to help the homeless population of Yeovil and surrounding areas.
They offer personal support and a drop-in service twice a week as well as meals, showers and laundry services on request.
Can you help make our Church Fete on 19th July a success?
Donations would be most welcome for the following
- If you have items suitable as raffle prizes please contact Jan Sharpless 250933.
- For Tombola prizes [chocolate is welcome but other small gifts suitable] talk to Anne Briggs or Sandra Nichols 07955150330 or email sandrajnick@btinternet.com
- Bottle stall please remember every donation is worth £5 to Church Funds. Any bottle, plastic or glass welcome. That includes water, vinegar, soy sauce etc! Please leave at the back of church or call Anne Salkeld 07841434130 salkeldanne1951@gmail.com
- Toiletries and Gifts Sue Cooper 01963 250503
- Books Please leave at the back of church
- Cakes and Plants – please bring on the day
Limited parking on Bathwell Lane, Wednesday 2nd July
A groundworks contractor will be working on the verge between the gate opposite the entrance to the Church and Sansome's Hill. This is the second of two phases of work to try to increase the width of Bathwell Lane in this area, as years of hedge overgrowth and the building up of the verge have encroached into the road and narrowed it, causing issues with traffic flow and problems with parking in a very well-used part of the village.
The contractor will need access to the verge to carry out this work, so we are asking that cars are removed by 8 am on this day and that no-one parks there during the day. We apologise for any inconvenience, but it will be to everyone's benefit in the long run!
Nathalie Hetherington
Deputy Parish Clerk
Milborne Port Parish Council
Charity and Mission
During May 2025 St John's will be supporting The Rendezvous in Sherborne. They assist local disadvantaged young people by listening and offering help and advice in order to build confidence and self-esteem.
Their trained and friendly team can offer in depth support or a listening ear, help and advice on health, housing, money or small targeted group sessions to build confidence and self-esteem.
The volunteers help young people gain the English and Maths qualifications they are missing and the 'Future is Yours' programme can help them to find jobs, join an apprenticeship scheme or go to college.
Christian Aid
As I write, we have just completed our six Lent lunches and I am delighted to tell you that the total raised for Christian Aid, £1,064.45, has exceeded all our expectations. The lunches were well attended and we are most grateful to Ven House who provided the food for two of them as well as a basket of their produce that was a raffle prize. Church House was the venue for almost all of the lunches but the last was held by very kind invitation at ReBorne’s newly redeveloped premises in North Street and those who came were all impressed by what has been achieved there. We are sincerely thankful for all the help that has been given to make the lunches the financial and social successes that they were, and to those of you who came for your generous donations.
Christian Aid Week will soon be upon us. It is 11 – 17 May and the emphasis this year is on funding vital agricultural training and tools that unlock climate resilient farming methods in regions of the world such as Guatemala. Here gruelling heat waves and extreme weather are causing havoc on crops that should be feeding much of the population. Thank you so much for your continued support.
David Johnson (Hon. Treasurer)