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 on the right to select other news types including Pew News and Magazines.
New Baby & Toddler Group – Starting in May!
Join us on Friday mornings for our brand-new Baby & Toddler Group, a welcoming space for little ones and their caregivers to connect and have fun. We’re grateful for our wonderful volunteers, but we really need another one or two, so if you’d like to join the fun and get involved, please speak to Rev Rona.
Memory Lane – A Service for Those with Memory Impairment
Memory Lane – A Special Service for Those with Memory Impairment
Starting Saturday, 19th April at 4pm (and every third Saturday of the month) in Church House, we invite you to join us for "Memory Lane" – a gentle gathering of music, singing, short readings, and prayer for those living with Alzheimer’s, Dementia, or memory challenges, alongside their loved ones. Refreshments will be provided at both.
Epiphany Letter from the Archbishop of York
Mindful of the ongoing challenges facing the Church of England, I write to you, the clergy, lay ministers and people of the Church of England on this Feast of the Epiphany, trusting that with God’s guidance, we can look to the future with great hopefulness in Christ.
Epiphany House Blessing
From 5th January onwards we can 'chalk our doors' with the traditional house blessing - 20+C+M+B+25
Usually, these symbols are chalked above the house door. This tradition has biblical roots going back to the story of Moses in the Bible when the Israelites were asked to put the blood of a lamb or goat on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses.
What Do The Epiphany Symbols Mean?
The Epiphany door blessing includes the initials of the traditional names for the 3 kings, plus the numbers from the current year. The first number “20″ is for the first 2 numbers of the year, and the last number “25” is for the last 2 numbers of the year. The 3 letters are the first initial of each of the kings (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthasar), who, legend says, visited at this time. The “C, M, B also stands for the Latin blessing Christius Mansionem Benedicat which means “May Christ Bless this House”.
If you would like me to, I will chalk your lintel with those letters and numbers, and say a prayer of blessing. If you would prefer to do this yourself the prayer is below.
Epiphany house blessing
God of Light, bless this home.
Make it a haven of rest
for all in need of your warmth and care.
And when we go out from this place,
may we never lose sight of the
Epiphany star.
May all who enter throughout the year find love and light; for Christ has come to dwell in this home and in these hearts. Amen
Rev. Rona
Church House 100 Club
A few dates are still available. Pay £15 per year and get a chance to win a part of the £60 per month prizes! Funds go towards the upkeep of Church House.
Contact Jacquie Hall for more information on: 07740 862 823 or jacquie.hall@me.com.
Benefice news
We are delighted to welcome the parishes of Compton Pauncefoot, Blackford and Maperton. They will be gradually joining us over the next few months, and we are really looking forward to working with them and having their fellowship and company.
Compton Pauncefoot, Blackford and Maperton Churches
Epiphany House Blessing.
From 5th January onwards we can 'chalk our doors' with the traditional house blessing - 20+C+M+B+25. Usually, these symbols are chalked above the house door. This tradition has biblical roots going back to the story of Moses in the Bible when the Israelites were asked to put the blood of a lamb or goat on the doorposts and above the doors of the houses.
If you would like me to, I will chalk your lintel with those letters and numbers and say a prayer of blessing. If you would prefer to do this yourself the prayer is below.
Epiphany house blessing
God of Light, bless this home.
Make it a haven of rest
for all in need of your warmth and care.
And when we go out from this place,
may we never lose sight of the Epiphany star.
May all who enter throughout the year find
love and light; for Christ has come to dwell in
this home and in these hearts.
Amen
Charity and Mission January 2025
During January 2025 St John's will be supporting the Church Army. Founded in 1882, in association with the Church of England, they are an evangelical and mission community dedicated to showing God's love to all and especially the poor.
Their work is unconditional, tackling social deprivation through partnership and collaboration to help empower individuals and communities.
Bringing Hope by Michael Beasley, Bishop of Bath and Wells
"A leader” said Napoleon Bonaparte, “is a dealer in hope.” At the start of 2025, this is a tough challenge for leaders everywhere! Conflicts continue around the world. The climate emergency is ongoing. At the polls, voters in many countries express their dissatisfaction with the status quo. As we look around us, can hope mean anything more than mere wishful thinking? As we look on all the challenges that exist, have we anything more to say than “I hope that that somehow, somewhere, something will turn up”.
More than ever, the Christian understanding of hope is what we need. Christian hope is broader, deeper, stronger altogether than any ‘wishful thinking’. In scripture, hope is not just a vague desire that something good in the future will somehow happen. Rather, the Biblical understanding of hope is of a confident expectation and desire that good in the future will come. It’s an assurance based in our pre-existing experience of God’s goodness, God’s love, the faithfulness that he has already shown towards us.
Scripture also contains the idea that while hope is something which comes primarily from God, it is also something in which human beings have a part to play, a contribution to make. The letter to the Hebrews says this: “God is not unjust; he will not forget your work and the love you have shown him as you have helped his people and continue to help them. We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, so that what you hope for may be fully realized.” (Hebrews 6:10-11)
God graciously calls us to join in bringing hope into the world. Our work, our love, our diligence matter. The contribution we make is important in bringing into being the future that God wants for us. At the start of this new year, we are called to take the lead: to be signs, symbols, dealers in the hope for which our world longs today.
Extra giving
During the Christmas season this year, St John's is splitting the loose cash collections from the main services between Christian Aid and Arc, a charity that supports homeless people in Somerset.
Charity and Mission December 2024
During December 2024 St John's will be supporting Yeovil Street Pastors. They consist of trained volunteers from local Christian congregations who help people feel safe at night and provide caring assistance when necessary.
Milborne Port Calendars for 2025
Milborne Port Calendars for 2025 will be on sale for £5.00 with all profits going to St John's. They will be available at the Christmas Lights Switch On (29th November) and after the 10.30 services on 1st, 8th and 15th December. Wayne's Butchers will also be selling them.
Great Christmas gifts for friends and family! Cash only please.
Statement from Bishop Michael regarding Safeguarding
The Makin Report into the Church’s handling of allegations of serious abuse by the late John Smyth is deeply shocking and disturbing. My heart is with everyone who experienced the appalling abuse described. I recognise the weight of what they endured and the immense courage they displayed in coming forward. The details revealed in the report highlight issues that cannot be ignored. This has only been emphasised by the decision of the Archbishop of Canterbury to offer his resignation in response to the report’s findings.
I am very sad to see the Archbishop step back from his role. I can only agree with the words contained in the statement he has released that ‘this decision makes clear how seriously the Church of England understands the need for change and our profound commitment to creating a safer church.’
I want to reiterate my profound sorrow and apology to those who suffered such appalling abuse at the hands of John Smyth. It is clear to me that decisive and meaningful action is required to rebuild trust and to ensure these failures are not repeated. Creating a culture that genuinely supports victims and safeguards against harm is a shared responsibility that we all hold. Our priority now must be to implement the recommendations that the Makin report contains.
This will require our collective commitment to ensuring that those who have the courage to come forward feel safe, believed and heard without fear of dismissal or judgment. As a diocese we remain committed to ensuring that our churches are safe places for everyone.
If you have felt affected by issues raised in the report you can speak to Safe Spaces, a free and independent support service, providing a confidential, personal and safe space for anyone impacted by church related abuse safespacesenglandandwales.org.uk, 0300 303 1056).
Alternatively you can contact a member of the Diocese of Bath and Wells Safeguarding Team. or get in touch with Ben Goodhind, Safeguarding Manager. Tel: 01749 588917 Email: ben.goodhind@bathwells.anglican.org
St John’s Harvest Supper
St John’s Harvest Supper raised a magnificent £508 for Christian Aid.
A truly splendid effort by all who contributed in so many different ways, and a most enjoyable evening too.
Thank you all.
FOODSHARE @ St John's
URGENT HELP NEEDED
If you can, please donate. If you are interested or can help, please contact: foodshareadmin@milborneportchurches.org.uk.
The help provided by the project has been described by people coming to Church House as ‘vital’, a ‘lifeline’ and ‘making all the difference’. The items donated by the congregation really do help project volunteers to help local people who face real challenges with day to day living. Could we please ask for your continued support and particularly at this time, could we request specific items so that what remains in our funds will go a bit further and for longer?
If you prefer to donate financially, even small amount, please contact Elaine Ennis Bunt - foodshareadmin@milborneportchurches.org.uk or contact Jacquie Hall 07740 862 823.
The following items would be most gratefully received: -
Tea bags, Sugar, Packet soups and tinned soups, Baked beans, Sardines, Tuna, Wholewheat pasta shapes, Rice or microwave packet rice, Tinned fruit, Coffee, Shower gel
THANK YOU! Foodshare is really helping to make a difference to local families who are struggling.