In my last letter I mentioned that our Church here in Welshampton celebrates 160 years since it’s consecration. Our plans for some celebrations are now firmed up.
The Treasures of Welshampton Church – a talk in church by Christopher Jobson with tea and cake, is fixed for Saturday July 15 at 2 pm.
If you live in Welshampton do come along to learn not only about the church but also the village because the two will always be connected. We live in the Parish of St Michael and All Angels.
The Feast Day of St Michael and All Angels falls on September the 29th which this year is a Friday and on that Friday evening there is a concert by Fauls Singers in church, 7.30 to 9.30 with Punch and biscuits in the interval. Many of you came and enjoyed the concert they did last year just before Rev Maureen left so do come along again and bring a friend with you – proceeds will go toward the upkeep of our beautiful building.
This is followed by a Sung Eucharist on the morning of Sunday the 1st of October, when Canon William Price will be the preacher. Canon William is one of the Trustees of the Historic Churches Trust which works to support our churches. They will make grants toward repairs and improvement that may be needed. Their funds come from subscriptions and from the Ride and Stride event held every September.
Another event of significance is the Wedding of Robert Mainwaring and Dawn Hoare-Ward on Sunday 6th August at 2.30. Robert is the Patron of our church and you will hear at Christopher’s talk how an ancestor of Robert built our church in memory of her husband Charles Kynaston Mainwaring, Patron of the church, a church at the time which was in a very sorry state. Robert and Dawn would like their wedding to be part of the celebrations round the church and so they have asked me to invite everyone in the Parish to come to their wedding. Well, we may not all be able to get in the Church but as many as possible can be accommodated and hopefully the weather will permit the door being wide open so any outside can hear the ceremony.
I haven’t been able to do any research but I suspect that Robert may be the only Patron to be married in his own church. The patronage passed from Father to eldest son; the son probably was married when a young man long before he became patron on the death of his father. At the wedding will be the whole family including children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, a family that Robert is rightly proud of. He is also proud of our church and the people who worship in it and work to maintain it, so all of you come to the wedding, celebrate their marriage and the 160th birthday of the church.
Blessings
Rev Anne
P.S. We have at last come to the advertising of the vacant post of Priest in Charge for this Benefice. The advert is due to go out in the Church Times and on the diocesan website at the end of June. The closing date for applications will be end of July. Interviews will be held in September. The half-time post will be advertised at the same time as the half-time post for the Criftins group of churches, so that applicants can apply for either one of the half-time posts or for both posts, thus making it a full-time post albeit made up of two halves. If we are very blessed in the applicants and assuming they need to give notice we might have a new Vicar by Christmas. Please pray that God will send us the right person to be our shepherd and guide.
Rev Anne