WELLOW CHURCH AND PARISH NEWS

January 2002

Churchwardens: Mrs. J. H. Mannings, Mr. J. R. Wyld

NEW YEAR OF FAITH

A Shared Vision of God?

As the world changed on September 11th 2001, so we enter a New Year in this new world.

In his last pastoral letter to the clergy of the Diocese, Bishop Jim highlighted the point that in the future, humanity must live in harmony by recognising the truths of each religion.

The days are long past when Christians can claim to have a monopoly on "The Truth". Such a doctrine has always been heretical, given that the word "heretic" refers to someone who amplifies an article of religious belief to the reduction or exclusion of others.

Bishop Jim reminds his clergy that, with the exception of Buddhism, all other major faiths of the world are ultimately focused on one God. He says, '..even behind the Hindu gods there is an essential unifying divine reality.' The Bishop makes the point that all Christians believe that in Jesus we have seen the Father and that Jesus is our way, our truth and our life; but he warns against us using our surety of faith to denigrate others.

Over the years I have come to appreciate the Church's teaching on the person of the Holy Spirit. He is the one who leads us into all truth. Therefore if anything is true, no matter from what quarter it comes, it must be of the Holy Spirit. To deny this is to commit the ultimate sin from which there is no redemption. If we sin against the Holy Spirit, the New Testament tells us that we cannot be forgiven. I take this to mean that if we cut ourselves off from God by denying him, we cannot then receive his forgiving love.

Being led into all truth is part of the saving acts of God for the whole human race. If we deny other people's claims on the truth, when they are seen to be just, loving and good, then we commit the unforgivable act of denial.

Bishop Jim sees this whole process of accommodation as being essential for our survival as members of the human race. In many parts of the world, a shared vision of God is going to be an extremely important goal for us to achieve.

The tools needed for this to come about are surely those of flexibility, humility and sound judgement, based on a loving relationship with God. We need to be aware of the activity of the Holy Spirit, who does not limit himself to being active within the Christian Churches but is present in the spiritual lives of many other millions of human beings.

This flexibility of outlook is not just required for the Christian Churches alone; all religious people of the many world faiths would need to share that holistic view. Only then would Bishop Jim's vision of a new world be realised.

I hope and pray that the year 2002 will prove to be a turning point in the relationship between the different religions of the world, especially between Christianity, Judaism and Islam which shares so much in common under the spiritual fatherhood of Abraham.

Hugh Bonsey

For details of Church Services in Wellow CLICK HERE

For details of Church Services in Peasedown St. John CLICK HERE

Church News What a joy it was to have the young people from Somerhill A' Level Theatre Group performing in our village church of St. Julian's on 4th December with a candlelit historical evening entitled "Changing Flames". Set in Wellow in the year 1843 it was the story of a tyrannical husband whose wife came to a sad end. Most of the body of the church was used to enact this, the costumes were beautiful and the lighting excellent. Our thanks are due to the talented group who donated the evening's takings to St. Julian's church. Mulled wine and mince pies were served during the interval, with a chance to see an historical display by Gordon Hewlett. Then the second part of the performance took place and after this Dick Graham showed some interesting slides of Wellow and surrounding district. Our thanks to everyone who took part or helped in any way, it was a shame more people didn¹t come to support these young people as it was a very enjoyable evening.

We hope you all enjoyed the candle lit Carol Service on 16th December, thank you to the WADS co-opted choir and to all the readers.

Our new heating system has been installed and we are having some minor problems with the seats getting too hot, as the heaters have been placed too near the top of the seats. We are assured this will be righted in the New Year so there should be no more problems. We do hope you all have a good Christmas and that Father Christmas brings the children most of what they want.

How about making a New Year Resolution to come to church at least once a month in the year 2002. You would be most welcome.

How sad we all were to hear Dr Ralph Bazeley had passed away suddenly on 19th November Ralph with his wife Margaret attended church almost every Sunday. His work for the church was unfailing having been churchwarden for many years, also sidesman, his last duty was on the 11th November, Remembrance Sunday, when he did the citation, he was always ready to help no matter what the occasion. We shall all miss him very much; our thoughts and prayers are with his wife Margaret who he was devoted to and to all his family. Rest In Peace Ralph.

Churchwardens

*A full Appreciation of Ralph's life will appear in the February issue of the parish newsletter.

From the past October 1934

A lightning strike on St Julian's Church tower caused considerable damage to the turret, part of which was subsequently dismantled. In January 1935, the Bath Chronicle photographer climbed the tower to record the mason rebuilding the stonework, an unenviable job for January. In true Chronicle tradition the photograph caption gave the builder of the tower as the "first Speaker of the House of Commons, Sir John Hungerford".

The report then records that Lord Ullswater, recently in Wellow to lunch with Prebendary Horton Starkie, discussed the building of St Julian's church by Sir Thomas Hungerford, a connection of which Wellow is proud. "In the course of their conversation Lord Ullswater informed the Vicar that Viscount Ullswater, who was Speaker until 1921, had once visited Farley Hungerford to gaze upon the resting place of his earliest predecessor, Sir Thomas." He thought it quite possible that Speaker Sir Edward Pheilips of Montacute had also visited at the end of the 16th century. Thus that village had welcomed three of the most interesting of the holders of the office; Sir Thomas Hungerford the first Speaker, a famous Elizabethan lawyer, Speaker Sir Edward Pheilips and the Speaker throughout the Great War, Viscount Ullswater."

Gordon Hewlett

Village Hall 150 Club Draw for November and December 2001

Thank you for your support.

Brian Messer Chair

Parlour Shop If you enjoyed your Christmas turkey from the shop (we hope you did!) why not try our chicken, beef, lamb or pork? The meat comes from the same butcher, is of equally good quality and arrives in the shop on Tuesdays and Fridays beautifully prepared and wrapped to order. Yes, you can get New Zealand lamb or Scottish beef, but in most cases the meat is from a local source and has NOT travelled hundreds of miles before it reaches you. To place an order, please let us know by lunchtime on Mondays or Thursdays.

A Happy New Year to everyone - including non-meat-eaters!

Lunch Club Happy New Year. Our first Lunch in 2002 will be on Thursday 24th January at 1.00pm in the Village Hall.

Janet Earp and Marian Osborne 832561

Bath Chronicle Correspondent A couple of months ago I let it be known that Kay Gumm had agreed to be your "friendly neighbourhood reporter". However, Katy, with parents Chris and Lois, moved from Wellow at the end of November to pastures new at Witham Friary, near Frome. I am sure that, like me, you wish them all they wish themselves, in their new abode and business. So once again we have no one to report to our local paper on things due to happen in our village, or what has happened, special anniversaries, fund-raising efforts, awards won, attainments in education or business etc.

Is there anyone out there willing to have a go at sending reports to the 'Chron'? If you are, then just give me a call and I¹ll gladly give you any information I can about the job.

Alan Taylor 837894

WARNING There have been a number of Break Ins in the village recently and goods stolen, be extra vigilant with locking up.

Newsletter Please may I have all copy for the Newsletter by the 20th January. It can be left in the shop or delivered to me at St. Julian¹s Well. If you have email that would be very helpful and even better if you could send it Times New Roman font size 12! Thank you very much

Jill Tremellen 833506 email julians.well@virgin.net