Dear Readers,
As we enter the month of October and the days start drawing in, we have much to celebrate in both our churches with the two Harvest Festivals, Church teas continuing, Messy Church and the Spanish Fiesta in early November to look forward to.
Read all about it in InSpire
The post InSpire October 2018 Issue 20 – Celebrating Harvest appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
Dear all
This month I will have been your vicar here for seven years which I can hardly believe. Where has all the time gone?! It certainly doesn’t seem like seven years; the time has literally flown by, yet these seven years have shaped our parish of Capel from one where I was appointed as a self-supporting minister under an arrangement of ‘House for Duty’ to a new united Parish and a full time Stipendiary role. (A Stipend is the ecclesiastical word for regular payment to clergy). Basically it means I am now paid! I was extremely happy to come here under House for Duty arrangements as I had other family commitments to honour as well as serving the church and community here. Those of you who know me and the work of clergy also know that ministry is rarely part time, so it was with great thankfulness that a couple of years ago Capel PCC agreed that they could fund a half stipend for the ministry I do. Now with the opportunity to join with St Margaret’s at Ockley, all agreed that this should be a full time stipendiary position which is wonderful. It is good for me of course, but also good for our parish as a whole. More and more clergy have to take on several churches, particularly in rural areas, which is exhausting. It is good that Capel and Ockley have a full time stipendiary vicar to share especially in future years. That said, in order to keep this we have to raise money to pay our Parish Share which is like a tax which goes to Guildford Diocese, in order for stipends to be paid, support staff to help us, new clergy to be trained and so on. It is a very large amount of money and if we don’t pay it our position as a parish with a full time paid minister is threatened.
Does this sound a bit gloomy? Well don’t be disheartened as this is something we can achieve if those who value having a church in the midst of their communities just consider giving a very small amount each month on a regular basis. One off donations are of course extremely welcome, especially this year, but regular giving helps us to budget and plan our activities so that our communities are best served. With this in mind, I and others who look after the stewardship and leadership in our two churches will be hosting a very informal information evening at Ockley Cricket Pavilion on Friday the 19th October between 6 and 9pm. We will be launching our new stewardship leaflet outlining the parish giving scheme etc. but we are also extremely anxious to meet and listen to those of you who are interested in what St Margaret’s and St John’s do in our villages. There has been a lot of disappointment and mistrust in some parts of our joint communities; in particular the closing of the Scott Broadwood Ockley School Base, along with other losses in Ockley and we are concerned to hear peoples’ views and what they would like to see in the future and how we at each church can help shape that future too. So please do come along and meet us – I can assure you there will be lovely refreshments on offer.
Some of you may by now be thinking “well what about all the money that the Capel Show raises for the church? Doesn’t this pay for parish share?” We are extremely grateful for the money raised from the Car Show which goes to The Friends of Capel Church. The Friends raise money for the fabric of the church building itself; not the churchyard or the boundary wall or any other expenses. It is a wonderful and invaluable resource for us but the money can only be spent on things like the latest rainwater goods project and various repairs on the roof which is about to take place. Without the Friends we would not have the well maintained church we have today. However, we are hoping to run the very popular barbeque stall at the show next year for which then any money raised will go into our general funds – i.e. parish share again – which allows us to provide all the services that the whole community uses – weddings, baptisms, funerals, Messy Church, Harvest Festival, Pet Service, Easter and Christmas – I’m sure you get the picture!!
Finally, there is the question of the boundary wall project. Now I know that many of you think that the work in some areas is not necessary and is overpriced and yes, some quotes we received were astronomical. We have however been able to secure the services of an experienced stonemason who has given us a very reasonable estimate for the whole job which he is willing to do for us piecemeal as and when we have the funds to finance another section. He has experience in training others in this work and is willing to make this a local community project for any who would like to be involved and we hope this will be of interest to some locally. For those of you who may have walked through the churchyard into the Parish Burial Ground recently you will have met Shawn and seen the great job he is currently doing. Is it really necessary? It is! We are required to maintain the wall and any other boundaries and if you look closely you will see the wall is generally in disrepair all-round the church. We are looking at grants for this work, and are very grateful for those who have already made generous donations – without you we couldn’t even begin to repair the back section which had fallen down. This is a separate fund raising project though and any money that is raised or given generally to the church will not be used for the restoration of the wall unless specified.
This has been a wonderful seven years for Doug and me to share in village life, the joys and sorrows, the ups and downs of many of you over this time. We do feel truly blessed to be here amongst you all and I do hope you won’t mind my clarifying the financial challenges we face as church and community. It’s a bit of a seven year review! We couldn’t do anything without your love and support and I hope you know that we try to always offer ours to you. Thanks be to God!
With my love and prayers as ever
Revd Liz
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We have recently commenced work on the west boundary wall of the church yard. The appointed stonemason, Shawn Williamson was able to give us some time in September to make a very meaningful start on the wall. If you haven’t seen the impressive work he has done, you should take a walk through the church yard to see for yourself. If not, there are before and after photos attached. As Shawn had some free time we made a start on the wall to show our intent and what can be achieved to restore the lovely handcrafted wall. He has completed approximately 1/3 of the west wall. Money for this month’s work has come from the boundary wall fund. Shawn is proposing to return in November, weather and funds permitting. We have applied to the Capel Parish Council for partial funding and if that comes through we will be able to do a further section of the wall. Further donations from the parish and wider community are needed. Shawn would like to teach local people the art of stone masonry and we would welcome volunteers to come along in November to learn and assist. If you are able to do so please let Liz know.
Boundary wall in a sorry state
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Welcome to the September issue of Inspire, celebrating recent marriages and marking the beginning of a new academic
year for many.
The post September 2018 Issue 19 appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
Dear all
September is here again and autumn approaches along with new beginnings for many with school, colleges, and further education. I always think it is an exciting time of year – a time to begin something new perhaps. Do you remember when it used to be called ‘evening classes’ or ‘night school’?! Well there is much on offer in our village of course with plenty of events and activities to choose from but here is a taster of some of the things we are offering that are kind of church based.
Well, I’m not very good at science and maths and definitely should go back to school for those subjects but despite that one of the things I am looking forward to attending is a talk by our own Revd Dr Martin Gilpin from St Peter’s Newdigate who is going to give a talk on science and faith entitled ‘Belief in God: Is it rational?’. The talk is free and is to be held in Newdigate Village Hall on Friday 7th September at 7.30 and Martin who is a scientist by profession is going to discuss amongst other things: – the origin of the universe, the origin of life on earth and what the limits of science are. Suitable for everyone, especially Martin says, teenagers with interest in science and or religion. In fact religion will only be lightly touched on. Well that’s a relief!!
On the music and arts front I am really looking forward to welcoming songwriter and performer Sally Cranham back to our church for an evening where she will be performing songs from her forthcoming album and talking about her role as Creative Director of the Fallout Urban Arts Centre, Minneapolis, as well as her work with an anti-trafficking charity. This will be in church on 23rd September at 6pm and promises to be an inspiring and moving occasion. If you enjoy music and singing how about joining our church choir? We welcome singers of all ages and have space in all parts. We shall be beginning rehearsals for our Christmas Carol Service and other special services throughout the autumn and winter and rehearse regularly on Thursday evenings. We will also be preparing to sing a service of sung Matins at St Margaret’s Ockley.
On the art and craft front our own Craft Group begins this month to meet on a Tuesday afternoon in church to work on different craft projects, have a chat and a cup of tea. They would love to have new members so do pop along and see what they are up to! Also if you have ever wanted to learn to draw or paint, there are great opportunities to make a start. Our very popular Wednesday morning art group continues to thrive at Capel Memorial Hall and now also at Ockley Cricket Pavilion on Thursday afternoon if you prefer a smaller group. Do contact Julia on 01306 711615 if you would like more information.
Service wise, we are offering Café Church at Capel, traditional Matins at Ockley, with contemporary and traditional services of Holy Communion at both churches. The church bells will be ringing quite a lot this month as we celebrate three weddings in September, and by the way you can also learn to ring the bells if you read the banner on the front wall of the church! As the month draws to a close we will be celebrating Harvest first at Ockley and the following week at Capel along with a ‘bring and share’ lunch and traditional Harvest Teas. So do check the service list of events for more details of all these and much more. Oh and Messy Church starts a new term later this month as well! So have a great September and don’t forget our doors are always open!
With my love and prayers as ever
Revd Liz
The post Autumn beginnings appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
“Enjoy the little things in life, for one day you’ll
look back and realize they were big things.”
The post August 2018 Issue no 18 appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
Dear all
I am really enjoying spotting and generally being surprised by the different scarecrows which keep appearing in the village. How fun are they and how ingenious you scarecrow makers are! From the long green nose of what I presume is an upside down watering can to appearances between gaps in hedges to daring positions precariously scaling houses I am loving them! Scarecrows you see, throughout the village were before my time in Capel. So I have googled how to make a scarecrow and hopefully by the time you read this we will have one outside the vicarage as well. We also have a new addition to our vicarage in the shape of a new Labrador puppy called Ruby. Some of you will already know that Doug and I celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary recently – hence the puppy’s name – and this is our present to one another. We were very spoiled at both churches too with beautiful flowers, champagne at our PCC meeting and a fabulous card with our wedding photo on it (!) with a lovely Susie West print of the Isle of Wight where we spent our anniversary with our children and grandchildren which was lovely. Thank you everyone! Ruby herself is absolutely gorgeous, chocolate in colour and a lovely nature; mad on food so true to her Labrador heritage, and chewing everything in sight! I expect you will see us walking around with her and maybe we can enter her for the dog show at the Capel Show this month.
So the summer holidays are here, school’s out and the high temperatures continue. I cannot believe it is a year ago that building improvements begun at Scott Broadwood as a result of consolidating the school and it is really looking good and working well for our pupils. We look forward to welcoming our new children next month and do consider visiting the school if you are interested or know someone who might be, in joining our lovely school which serves our local villages.
I am looking forward to the 125th Capel Horticultural Show which celebrates its anniversary with the Ockley and Okewood Show this year. Happy Birthday to you both! Along with the very popular Car Show at Capel, these events are key and vital in our communities. We must spare a thought and give thanks for those working hard in this hot weather to ensure they all run as smoothly as ever. I’m looking forward to the film and picnic in the evening in the Capel marquee too.
Church wise, next month, beginning in September we are making a small alteration to the timing of the services at Ockley, bringing them back to their original start time of 9.30 instead of 9am which is seems is too early especially for families on a Sunday morning. This won’t affect services at Capel as they will stay the same. I am also planning to introduce a midweek communion service probably fortnightly at St Margaret’s Ockley. The good thing is that on the fourth Sunday of every month we will join forces and worship together at either Capel or Ockley. I think we may have found a system that will work well. Anyway, see next month and church notices for further details. This month stays the same timewise but due to holidays there may be a difference in where the services are held. Weather wise in our own churchyard, it seems the weather has taken its toll on the very large Oak tree behind the church. A massive branch has fallen and we will be fencing off this area until we are able to take action to thin the tree out so please do watch out if you are in this vicinity.
I do hope you can find some time to rest during this summer month and pray that those who are travelling or away stay safe in the sun and around water in these hot times. God actually commands us to rest as I reminded people this morning at church; Psalm 23 says that ‘the Lord makes me lie in green pastures’ so remember that next time you feel guilty putting your feet up! God speed whatever you are doing and watch out for the Reverend Aunt Sally!!
With all love and prayers
Liz
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Dear all
So once again we are fortunate to have fine weather for our vicarage fete tomorrow. As I write there is a wonderful array of gazeboes kindly lent and installed by many kind and very helpful people adorning our back garden. Lovely that we need them this year to keep the heat off us instead of the rain! I would like to thank everyone who has involved themselves with the fete, the organising team, the helpers who man the various stalls – a record number this year; those who prepare and serve the delicious teas and of course a huge thank you to those who have donated very generous raffle prizes. Hopefully we will raise lots of money for our schools. It is amazing how everyone together each playing their part creates something wonderful.
I have also very much enjoyed playing a very small part in the Ockley Dramatic Society’s 70th birthday celebrations this last month. Something I’ve never done before I have to say! I was persuaded to as they say in theatrical circles I believe; tread the boards, in what was fairly obviously a comic play. I was given a ‘cameo’ role (more theatrical speak) as one third of a singing trio called The Spangle Sisters. I played the drummer who was the mother of the other two members. Thankfully I only had 14 lines to learn – yes I counted them – unlike the many lines other cast members had to learn. I did have to know when to say them though! How I admire the other actors for their ability to learn them all. It was very good fun anyway being part of the production and actually very relaxing because it was something very different to what I normally do! It’s a constant surprise what you find you end up doing as a vicar!!
Well, generally it has felt this last month and looking forward throughout the summer that there is much to give thanks for and celebrate in both Capel and Ockley. Although in church speak we have entered what we call ‘Ordinary Time’ – a long period of time which is known as Trinity, it seems to be that now there is never an ordinary time in church life or in our communities. In fact this is as it should be because the real meaning of Ordinary Time is, the rubric tells us, to be a time to celebrate and reflect upon the reign of Christ in earth and heaven. So I hope you will join me in giving thanks for all the good things we encounter in our lives even though at times certain things come to an end and we find some days to be special but very poignant. Remember though that Christ came to bring us all through the storms as well as the brighter days in our lives for which we give thanks.
With my love and prayers
Liz
The post Ordinary Time? appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
Issue 17 brings news of our Vicarage Fete, Eco Church launch and the
cancellation of the Photographic competition.
The post July 2018 Issue 17 appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
In this issue we are commemorating St John the Baptist on 24th June and
Investigating the origins of Father’s Day, together with celebrating the
approach of our Annual Parish Fete in aid of the local schools.
The post Issue no 16 June 2018 appeared first on The Parish of Capel and Ockley.
October-2018_website.pdf