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Epiphany House Blessing
From 5th January onwards we can 'chalk our doors' with the traditional house blessing - 20+C+M+B+24. 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 “24” 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.
Rev Rona
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
Diocese website reports Lights Switch On Event

The Bath & Wells Diocese has produced a report on the Lights Switch On in St John's Church that took place on 24 November. In the report on their website, Hundreds join Christmas lights switch on at St John’s Church Milborne Port, they say:
'Hundreds of people packed into St John’s Church and grounds in Milborne Port on Friday evening (24 November) to mark the switching on of the Christmas lights. This was the first time the celebration in the Village was held at St John’s Church and those who attended for the singing, food.
'Revd Rona Stuart-Bourne said “I am overjoyed that we are able to welcome the whole community and to make the church the centre of the community and put the community at the centre of the church.”'
See https://www.bathandwells.org.uk/hundreds-join-christmas-lights-switch-on-at-st-johns-church-milborne-port.php for the full report.
Prisons week of prayer 8th - 14th Oct 2023
From Helen Solomon (Benefice Administrator)
As some of you know, I have worked in a number of prisons and encountered many kinds of souls. This campaign is very close to my heart. If you can, please go to the website: https://www.prisonsweek.org.
Funeral Planning
Following on from some requests, Rev Rona has created a template for Funeral Planning.
Often families have no idea what their loved ones would like at their funeral, and this is a free, and simple way to help your loved ones at that dreadful time. These sheets will be available in the Parish Office in Milborne Port. Please collect one and fill in any funeral choices (hymns, readings, music etc).
Return the completed form to the Parish Office and feel free to come in and make any changes you wish at any time.
Look out for a Coffee Morning where Rev Rona will launch this idea and there will be an opportunity to chat about a subject which is infrequently spoken about, but would help us all enormously.
Sponsor a hymn
New! Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)

Parish Giving Scheme (PGS)
If you would like an easy new way to give money to your parish, have a look at this new scheme that is now available for all to use.
The PGS makes it possible for givers to:
- Give One-Off amounts by Credit/Debit cards and Apple/Google pay wallets.
- Give monthly, quarterly or annually by Direct Debit.
- Sign up to inflation-linked giving annually.
- Enhance your gift to your church by having Gift Aid at 25% added to your giving.
- Give anonymously.
- The system is secure, confidential and easy to use
The team at PGS make it safe and easy for you to give and just as safe and easy for your church to receive, easing the administration burden for treasurers and church volunteers.
To find out more, talk to Rev Rona or go to: https://www.parishgiving.org.uk.
New Parish Administrator
We are delighted to welcome Helen Solomon as our new Parish Administrator. She will usually be in the Parish Office 3 mornings per week. She can be reached on the Church House phone 01963 250248 and will be checking it for messages when she is in. Her email is milbornechurch@gmail.com.
Snowdrop Coffee Morning
Thank you everyone for the support, contributions and donations. A magnificent amount of £505 was raised for St Peter's, Goathill
St John’s Church, Sponsor a Date
St John’s Church, Milborne Port Sponsor a Date
Please can you help us look after our beautiful building? Choose a date (s), e.g. birthday, anniversary or special day, as many as you like! For each date, pledge to pay £30 towards the upkeep of the Church on that day.
Each month we will display the special days, thank God for that memory and for your generosity in helping us keep our lovely Church open.
With grateful thanks. Please contact Jacquie Hall (Churchwarden on behalf of the PCC)
01963 250328, 07740862823 or jacquie.hall@me.com
Christmas Tree Festival

A big thank you to everyone who took part: those who helped set up the boards on the first Wednesday; the Events committee for providing refreshments on the Saturday, those who helped move all the trees and return them to their places after Revd Rona's service; everyone who helped tidy up afterwards; Ronnie and June for all the extra cleaning; those who braved the cold to welcome visitors: and to Susan Wales for coordinating it all.
£190.44 was collected and this was shared between St John's, SOMP and Foodshare.
Milborne Port Calendars for 2023
Are on sale at:
- Wayne’s butchers
- Tippling Philosopher
- St John’s after the 10.30 service
Only £5 each, proceeds to St John’s.
Cash please, or cheque made out to “Milborne Port Magazine”.
Christmas Tree Festival

From 25th November until 3rd December, with trees donated by the Spirit of Milborne Port. Please see the information about opening times by clicking on the link below.
Photos of Open Day on 24 September 2022
Summer Fete
Saturday July 23rd
on Church Lawn in aid of St John's Church
We need help please
- Volunteer to help run a stall especially books, bottles and chocolate.
- Start saving bottles of all sizes and types.
- Donate Tombola prizes, good books, plants etc.
- Prepare to contribute chocolate, home-made cakes, cookies, scones etc
- Sell raffle tickets.
Please contact Jan Sharpless (250993), Sandra Nicholls (250725), Anne Briggs (251000) or email Anne Salkeld salkeldanne@aol.co.uk
Proceeds from the Fete and Raffle are absolutely crucial to being able to 'balance the books ' at the end of the year, so your assistance would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you in anticipation
Churchwardens and Events committee