Dominase.

It is hoped to include a section in every e-pew sheet about Dominase in particular giving a progress report on fund raising; how the money we in Buriton have raised is being spent in Dominase. It is the aim to keep people in touch with various projects as much as possible so that we don’t feel that the money has disappeared into the ether!

Following the successful fund-raising Quiz Night in May, Doug is/has visiting/visited Ghana in June to try to discuss ideas and make plans.  Doug would like it to be known that none of the money raised for Dominase will be used for his travel or accommodation – he is paying all those costs himself;  all credit and respect to Doug for this.  Whilst the villagers in Dominase are very keen to have Buriton’s help to provide some much-needed sanitation facilities, lots of details still have to be sorted out and hopefully Doug will be able provide an update in our next pew-sheet.

As a first step, Buriton’s Village-to-Village Group hopes to be able to pay for a small block of toilets at the village school that is linked with Buriton Primary School and Doug will be meeting with elected representatives in Dominase to agree plans and seek firm cost estimates so that a suitable contractor can be chosen.  The intention is to build toilets with hand-washing facilities (from harvested rainwater) and a changing room.

In due course it is hoped that money raised through Buriton’s ‘Buy a Bog’ campaign can help families get their own loo – for the first time ever.  But starting a programme of building household toilets will not be easy: materials may need to be transported to the village, people will need to be trained in the necessary skills and how will the first families be selected? 

The Village-to-Village Group has already found out lots of information and has been in contact with scores of relevant organisations working in many countries.  Whilst in Ghana, Doug will be meeting with some NGOs who already organise this work in other parts of the country and he will be looking to find the most reliable and cost-effective way of providing toilets in Dominase.

Dominase is a much bigger village than Buriton – and it has about a dozen ‘out-station’ villages like Weston, Nursted and Ditcham.  So, there are many, many families for us to try to help and the aim is to make sure that the people of Dominase can continue to build toilets for themselves for a long time to come.

There will be a household collection around the parish very shortly so that everyone has the chance to make a contribution.  Please encourage all your friends and relatives to consider ‘Buying a Bog’ for Dominase.  And, if you have a birthday coming soon and don’t know what you would like as a present – ask for a Bog !

Doug Jones

The link between Dominase (our link village) and Buriton is very strong. There is, however, an area which could be strengthened and that is pen-pals. We need more people to volunteer to have a pen-pal. It only means a few letters a year, not very time consuming. On my visits to Dominase it is really moving to see the delight on their faces when I deliver letters to those who already have a pen-pal. Great whoops of joy can be heard for miles. They are shown to everybody and photos etc. included are most welcome. Not everyone can read and write English, but there are plenty who can and they help the receivers to reply. If you think you would like to help the link by having a pen-pal please contact me on 266206 and I will give you a name and address of someone in Dominase. Any age any sex. Thank you.

Mary Owens  

Bishop of Basingstoke.

We are delighted to announce that the Ven Peter Hancock, Archdeacon of the Meon, is to become the next Bishop of Basingstoke in the neighbouring Diocese of Winchester. He will be consecrated as a bishop in September and take up his new role in October. I’m sure your prayers will be with him as he prepares to take on this new role.

Sidespeople.

Peter Taylor and Eileen Lorge have now become welcome additions on the rota for sidespeople.

Farewell of Territorial Envoy Stewart Madden.

We would like to invite anyone from your church who would like to attend the Farewell of Territorial Envoy Stewart Madden.  Stewart will be leaving Petersfield to become the Salvation Army Leader of Aldershot and Godalming Corps.  The meeting starts at 5.00pm. in the Salvation Army Hall on the 4^th July.

Steve Field

Post Office

Please send comments and suggestions to Tim Mitford, e-mail timmitford@clara.co.uk

Organ recitals; music to dine to!

Mark Dancer will be continuing his 11^th season of organ recitals at St. Peter's Church on the 6^th and 20^th July at 1pm. Admission is free but there will be a retiring collection. Bring your own lunch or refreshments are available.

Postponement of concert.

The piano recital by Richard Saxel due to take place at St Peter’s on the 5^th June has now been postponed until Saturday 3^rd July at 7:30pm.  Tickets available from One Tree Books from the 7^th June.

Prayers.

If there is anyone you would like included in peoples prayers and thoughts for whatever reason; they may be sick, troubled or just going through a bad time then please let us in confidence have their details.

Churchwardens.

Now that Dave has left and before the new ‘Priest in Charge’ Judith Bee is licensed (September 8^th) Lynne and Gordon are the main points of contact for all church matters. They need your prayers, patience, tolerance, understanding and goodwill as they carefully thread their way through the complexities, and minefield of rules and regulations that are involved with running a church. It is unbelievable how much more there is to it than opening and locking the front door.  Following Dave's retirement, please contact either of the Church Wardens if you have any church matter you would like to discuss; see here for details.

"Oh to be a Churchwarden"  (Extracts taken and edited from Dick Parsons writing in The Rock, 2005.)

Aspiring Churchwardens be advised that despite the fact that at The Annual Church Meeting a majority of hands are raised to elect you to high office, you are not yet a Churchwarden. Churchwardens are officers of the Bishop and are admitted to office for the coming year by him or his representative.

Before the service and prior to a ten minute session with the Archdeacon to discuss Parish affairs, you have to sign a declaration that “we will faithfully and diligently execute the office of Churchwarden”. Then supported by friends and clergy the service begins during which the Churchwardens promise is made or renewed. You are required “to discharge such duties as are by law and custom assigned to us, to be foremost in representing the laity and in co-operating with the clergy and to use our best endeavours by example and precept to encourage the parishioners in the practice of true religion and to promote unity and peace among them”. Aspiring Churchwardens be warned it’s too late at this stage to say no!!!!!!!!!

There follows examples of the trials and tribulations of Churchwardens.

In the past they have used their staves to keep order in church (not allowed to do it nowadays Lynne!), to wake up those who fall asleep during sermons and even to remove hats from forgetful members of the congregation.

Nowadays however Churchwardens are not so authoritarian!!!!!!!. The badge of office is the stave or wand, unfortunately though it is no magic wand that can open people’s minds and hearts to God’s love. Perhaps the Churchwardens greatest responsibility is to make the church an accessible, welcoming, inclusive and joyful place to visit.

Aspiring Churchwardens be assured that if there is trouble afoot it will land at yours and the Vicar’s feet and during an interregnum it’s all yours.

This pew sheet.

A number of hard copies of the e-pew sheet will be available at the back of the church.  If you do not currently receive an e-pew sheet and would like to do so please let me know your e-mail address; all addresses will be kept confidential.  We would like this e-pew sheet to be interactive so all contributions welcome.  Anyone is welcome to receive this e-pew sheet, you do not have to attend church or be religious; just caring and showing an interest in St. Mary’s qualifies you.

St Mary’s website.

Ian Johnston has been working very hard on improving the website; it can be viewed at www.stmarysburiton.co.uk well worth a visit as it is a feast of information about St. Mary’s and all church matters.

That’s all folks!

Any opinions unless otherwise stated are purely my own (writes Elaine Bray!) and do not reflect the views of St. Mary’s Church or any member of the Church Council.