Midweek Bulletin
MIDWEEK BULLETIN – Wednesday 30th June 2021
‘But now, this is what the Lord says – he who created you, O Jacob, he who formed you, O Israel: “Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have called you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass though the rivers, they will not sweep you away. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Saviour.” (Isaiah 43:1- 3a)
DIARY
Saturday 3rd July: 1.30pm – Wedding (James CROUCH-BAKER & Emma STILL)
Sunday 4th July (5th after Trinity)
10.00am: Breakfast Church (Zoom)
11.00am: Holy Communion (in Church) with the choir of six singing.
Saturday 10th July:
12.30pm – 4.00pm: ‘THE WITHYHAM CHURCH & VILLAGE FETE’
Check current Parish Magazine for Stall Holders requirements. Items can be left at the Rectory. Although it was advertised, there wasn’t going be a BOTTLE STALL. However, the latest news is that there will be one, run by Rick Hunnam: so please do rustle up some bottles and deliver them to the Knoll View, Withyham or ring 770347.
Raffle counterfoil slips to Anne Barker, please.
Sunday 11th June (6th after Trinity)
NO Zoom at 10.00am
11.00am: Matins (in Church) led by either Rev. Sandi Wickens (Curate) or Adam Hardy (a Reader) from Rotherfield.
CHURCH WEBSITE
Our re-vamped website is now live. It remains: withyhamchurch.org
Please do have a look – and make any comments or suggestions either to me or to Bridget Clayton who has put it together (withyhamchurch@gmail.com).
A big thank you to Meg Stafford for administering the previous site for many years.
For your PRAYERS
The Persecuted Church: Christians in Egypt (No. 16 on ‘Open Doors’ list) – Persecution is mostly at the community level where Islamic groups strongly influence rural communities; the lack of serious law enforcement and unwillingness of local authorities to protect Christians adds to their vulnerability. It is estimated that there are over 16 million Christians in Egypt out of a population of c. 103 million.
Margaret REYNOLDS’ lack of mobility means that she isn’t able to stay at home and she is looking to move to a care home in Tunbridge Wells with her sister.
The Sick: Donald YONGE who has recently been diagnosed with prostate cancer – thankfully in the relatively early stages – and is having surgery in Eastbourne on 7th July.
The Bereaved: the Family and Friends of all who mourn.
James p.s. No Bulletin next week.
James Campbell, Rector
The Rectory, Withyham, Hartfield, E. Sussex TN7 4BA
01892 770069
Notices
Churchwardens’ Notes
Services continue in the church with social distancing and no singing; however at the end of the service, weather permitting, a hymn is sung outside the west door. On the 5th Sunday in May, Matins was held at Blackham and Evensong at Withyham.
The panel in the east window has been restored and placed back in the window. It has been restored so well that it appears just as it was before but slightly brighter as it has been cleaned.
The Withyham Church and Village Fete is going ahead on Saturday, July 10th, starting at 12.30pm and finishing at 4.00pm. Any support for stall holders and donations for the stalls are most welcome.
Richard Halcrow & Jill Pardey
The Withyham Church and Village Fete - Saturday 10th July
Following the Government’s announcements on 14th June, it was decided that it would be possible to hold the Fete, subject to Covid-19 restrictions being adhered to, including appropriate social distancing.
The Regulations for Step 2 (from 12th April) specifically mention ‘Village Fetes’ as being able to go ahead, provided that
a) the arrival of attendees is staggered throughout the event
b) attendees do not congregate in a specific place on the site The Step 3 Regulations (from 17th May and now continuing until after 10th July) state that where events cannot meet these criteria, numbers must be limited to 30.
Regarding the Raffle, if you have sold tickets it would be much appreciated if you would return the counterfoil slips to Anne Barker.
The Village Fete - a brief history
Who doesn’t love a village fete? What could be better than a relaxing couple of hours spent wandering around the stalls, chatting with friends and neighbours, picking up a plant or two for the garden and, of course, enjoying a cup of tea and some home-made cake. The tradition of holding fairs dates back to the Middle Ages when key towns would hold trading fairs, which could last up to a week. This was an opportunity for local businesses to peddle their wares, and around these commercial enterprises other stalls would be erected selling sweet treats, food and trinkets. The ‘modern’ fete probably dates back to the 1920s and is rooted more in charity than commerce. Local people would make things to sell at a ‘sale of work’ and the proceeds would be donated to charity.