Newsletter for March 2017

Church newsletter for March 2017

Church newsletter for March 2017 for printing

What’s on in March 2017 and onwards

Womens’ World Day of Prayer
Combined RWB Service at Sacred Heart Church
Friday 3rd March 11am

Bible Society Coffee Morning
Saturday 4th March Church Croft, St Bartholomew’s Church

Lunch at Season’s 
Tuesday 14th March noon, Season’s Restaurant, RWB High Street

Lent discussion groups with Malmesbury URC
At Wootton Bassett URC Thursday evenings 7pm
Grace through the eyes of ……
9th March … Dietrich Bonhoeffer
16th March … Archbishop Oscar Romero
23rd March … Martin Luther King
30th March … Summation
The same subjects will be discussed on Tuesdays afternoons at 2pm each week at Malmesbury URC,  7th, 14th, 21st, 28th

Badminton in the hall
Friday 31st March evening

Larks Bible Study
Tuesday 4th April 10.30am

Elders Meeting
Saturday 8th April 10:00am (note change of day)

Good Friday Town Walk of Witness
Friday 14th April 10am Meet at Sacred Heart Church

Good Friday Meditation Service
Friday 14th April 2pm

Annual Church Meeting
Thursday April 27th 7.30pm

Badminton in the hall
Friday 28th April evening

Church Garden tidy-up
Saturday 29th April 11am

Elders Meeting
Thursday 11th May 7pm

Bowood woodland walk with rhododendrons
13th May – cost adult £8, seniors +60is £7.25, children under 12 free

Owls discussion evening – film about Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Thursday 18th May 7.30pm

Visit to Atwelll Wilson motor museum
10th June – , cost for 10 or more £6 + £3.50 for refreshments

Church Meeting
Thursday June 15th 7.30pm

Italian lunch at the Bella Vita
Sunday 2nd July After church

Community Barbeque
Saturday 8th July 4-6pm in the church garden

Elders Meeting
Thursday 13th July 7pm

Elevenses at Jack & Isobel’s
Saturday 29th July, Vines House Grittenham

Curry meal
Monday 21st August 6pm Ganges

Elders Meeting
Thursday 14th September 7pm

Church Meeting
Thursday Oct 26th 7.30pm

Elders Meeting
Thursday 9th November 7pm

Joy’s ordination as an Elder

At our service on 12th February, Joy Mattis (right) was ordained by our Minister as an Elder of the United Reformed Church, and inducted to serve at Royal Wootton Bassett. She was welcomed with the right hand of friendship by existing Elders, Elizabeth and Andrew.

 

Eldership – What is it?

For the United Reformed Church, the eldership of a local congregation is a significant ministry. The eldership as it has come to us over the centuries has importance within the Reformed tradition, having been significantly shaped by the reformer John Calvin. Eldership is a distinctive part of Reformed identity. In 1972 when the Congregational Church of England and Wales and the Presbyterian Church of England united to form the United Reformed Church it was agreed that elders would have responsibility for the spiritual and pastoral oversight of the local church, alongside Ministers of Word and Sacraments. The ‘elders meeting was conceived in the very real hope that it would become a distinctive and vital part of every congregation. Elected by the local church meeting, elders are people in whom others have recognised the spiritual gifts that can aid the leadership of the church. At its best the elders meeting is at the heart of every local congregation, regardless of size, offering the impetus and leadership required for mission, witness, and service. Elders have an essential part in enabling the congregation to live a healthy and fruitful life as God’s people