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st giles’ churchlatest church news
KILMINGTON VILLAGE CAROL SINGING – FRIDAY 23RD DECEMBER
Village Carol Singing will start on Kilmington Common at 6.30 pm on Friday 23rd December and the procession will also sing at the Old Post Office at 6.50 pm, Jubilee Green at 7.10 pm, the junction of Eastleigh Close and Meadow Bank at 7.30 pm, the Green at 7.50 pm ending up at one or both of the Pubs. Everyone will be welcome to join the procession and those living close to the stops are invited to come out and join in. If any elderly or less mobile residents would like us to call, please contact the undersigned. Those joining the procession are asked to wear bright clothing suitable for the weather and bring torches or lanterns. There will be no collection as this is an occasion to wish everyone a happy Christmas as we remember the birth of Jesus.
Brian Lavender (Tel: 012297 34922)
ST GILES’ CHURCH CHRISTMAS DECORATIONS
St Giles’ Church will again be decorated with poinsettias hopefully donated or loaned by residents who are asked leave them at the back of the Church on Thursday 15th December. The flower arrangers are requested to assemble in Church at 10.00 am on Friday 16th December with greenery so that the Church can be fully decorated in time for the Harp Concert that evening. A Memory tree will be located next to the Lady Chapel so that residents and visitors can record the names of absent family and friends that they will be remembering over Christmas. Memory stars will be available in the Church and delivered to all houses in the Village, and can be hung on the tree or left in the box at Hurfords Stores; a donation of £1 for Church funds would be appreciated.
CHRISTMAS SERVICES IN ST GILES’ CHURCH
The annual Christingle Service will be held in St Giles’ Church at 3.00 pm on Sunday 11th December; it is a very special Service and popular with families and children. A Carol Service with Readings and an Address will be held at 6.00 pm on Sunday 18th December after which mulled wine and mince pies will be served at the back of the Church. A Crib Service with posada which will attract the children in particular will take place at 3.00 pm on Christmas Eve Saturday 24th December. Later that evening at 9.30 pm there will be the usual Sung Holy Communion Service. Another Holy Communion will be held at 9.00 am on Christmas Day. Everyone is welcome at any or all of these Services as we celebrate again the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ.
CANDLELIT CHRISTMAS HARP CONCERT – FRIDAY 16TH DECEMBER
The renowned harpist, Elizabeth Jane Baldry, has kindly agreed to give a festive concert in St Giles’ Church at 7.30 pm on Friday 16th December. The Church will be fully decorated with poinsettias and Christmas trees, and pink “fizz” and stollen will be served in the interval. This concert will provide a great warm up for Christmas, so please get your tickets early from Hurfords Stores or Brian and Caroline Lavender at £7.50 to avoid disappointment.
QUIZ NIGHT IN KILMINGTON
Clive Garner has kindly agreed to conduct a Quiz Night in the Village Hall on Saturday 26th November at 7.30 pm. Teams of up to 6 will be allowed but even if you are on your own please come along and you will be welcome to join others. It will be a very informal and friendly occasion with a ploughman’s supper served during the interval with coffee and tea; please bring drinks of your own choice. Tickets will be on sale from Hurfords Stores, or on the door at £5. All proceeds will go to St Giles’ Church funds.
HARVEST IN KILMINGTON
A very lively Harvest Festival Service was held in the beautifully decorated St Giles’ Church on Sunday 2nd October, conducted by the Rev’d Alastair McCollum. Many farming families joined the regular congregation in singing the well known harvest hymns and two local farmers, Michael Collier (Chairman of the Parish Council) and Mark Burrough read the Lessons. The theme for the Vicar’s address was the importance of saying “thank you” and the children helped him to illustrate just how much we had to be thankful for in a peaceful Devon village
A Village Harvest Supper, coordinated by Caroline Lavender, was held the next evening when 90 family members sat down to enjoy shepherds pie, apple pie, harvest loaf and cheese with cider, apple juice, coffee and tea on the menu. The Kroft Originals provided the entertainment and young and old joined in the singing by these lovely ladies who sent the donation received to the Devon Air Ambulance. Bill Kerslake, President of the Kilmington Produce Association, judged the giant sunflower competition as a result of the seed sown at the Rogation Service at Summerleaze Farm last May. Prizes were awarded to Abbey and Tom Stonex, Phoebe Dare, Elana Leakie and Jack McCollum for their “giants” while Bill Kerslake was declared the adult winner by compere Brian Lavender for his 15 ft specimen which he could scarcely get in through the door! A raffle of produce raised £129 and all the proceeds from the evening totalling £465 were donated to Shelter Box, the local charity providing such valuable and speedy relief in crisis situations. The evening was rounded off with the singing of “Come, ye thankful people, come,” and “We plough the fields and scatter” led by the Vicar.
ST GILES’ CHURCH GIFT DAY AND PATRONAL FESTIVAL
The Rev’d Alastair McCollum, Churchwarden Bill Kerslake, Reader Gill Heighway and refreshment makers Ann & Michael Marsh were delighted to welcome so many Kilmington residents who called in at the church on Saturday 3rd September with their monetary gifts. At the time of writing the total has exceeded £7,000 which is a fabulous result and is much appreciated. It is comforting to know that many non regular churchgoers are very motivated to support their Parish Church and its work in the community. The Patronal Festival evensong on the Sunday was well attended when thanks were given for the gifts and the life of St Giles was celebrated.
Three new recruits to the Anglican Church were baptised and welcomed in St Giles’
Church recently. At an All-
ST GILES’ CHURCH HARVEST FESTIVAL
The Harvest Festival Family Service will be held in the Parish Church on Sunday 2nd October at 11.00 am, conducted by the Vicar. Kilmington residents are asked to donate flowers and produce to decorate the Church appropriately, leaving them at the back of the Church on Friday 1st October. The produce can be extended to bottles of wine, tinned food etc. and would be most appreciated. Flower arrangers are requested to assemble in the Church on the Saturday morning to help with the decorations. Please bring your family, friends and visitors to the Service to celebrate the harvest home when farming families will take part in the Readings.
You are reminded that tickets are still on sale for the Village Harvest Supper in the Village Hall on Monday 3rd October at 6.00 pm where the entertainment will be provided by the Kroft Originals. There will be a complimentary cider/soft drink on arrival but feel free to bring other drinks and don’t forget the giant sun flowers sown at the Rogation Service as there will be prizes for the winners. The proceeds from the raffle of produce will be donated to Shelter Box for famine relief in East Africa.
Brian and Caroline Lavender
ST GILES’ CHURCH FETE & SONGS OF PRAISE
Thanks to everyone who organised and supported the Annual Church Fete on Saturday 16th July. The stalls were very busy from the start and the weather allowed the children’s activities to be held outside. Over £1,100 was raised for Church Funds. The following day the Salvation Army Exeter Temple Band arrived to lead an open air Songs of Praise but the weather was such that it had to be held in the Village Hall. There was a very good attendance and 10 residents gave interesting accounts about their song/hymn choices and joined in the singing led by a brilliant 14 strong band conducted by Peter Woolway. The refreshments following were delicious (lovely cakes left over from the Fete!) and it was good to talk to the Band members who brought family and friends in support. The collection of £261 was donated to the Salvation Army to help with their wonderful work in the UK and throughout the world.
ST GILES’ CHURCH GIFT DAY & PATRONAL FESTIVAL
The Clergy will be outside St Giles’ Church on Saturday 3rd September from 10.00 am – 4.00 pm to receive monetary gifts needed to cover Parish Church expenses. If you cannot call in, please leave your envelopes, which will be delivered to each residence before hand, at the Vicarage or Hurfords Stores. Your Gift Day support for St Giles’ Church has been much appreciated in the past and it is hoped that residents will be generous again this time. A Patronal Festival Evensong will be held in the Church at 6.00 pm the next day, Sunday 4th September, at which everyone will be most welcome. Refreshments will be served afterwards so please come along.
“BACK TO CHURCH” SUNDAY -
This year “Back to Church” Sunday takes place on 25th September 2011. It is a special Sunday set aside each year in September when thousands of people who do not regularly attend Church are invited and welcomed to a church near them. An All Age Holy Communion Service will be held in St Giles’ Church at 11.00 am on that day at which it is hoped that people in the area who have got out of the habit of going to church will be welcomed back. Research shows that most people who stop going to church have not lost their faith in God; but simply fallen out of the habit, most commonly because life became too busy. This then is an invitation to attend a very informal Service suitable for adults and children at which you can be sure of a warm welcome from the Clergy and the regular members of the congregation. Hopefully, some readers may have received a personal invitation to attend from a friend or neighbour, but if you have not, please come anyway and stay for a chat over refreshments afterwards.
The Rev’d Kate Woolven
MISSION COMMUNITY ALL AGE HOLY COMMUNION
As befits Pentecost, “a rushing mighty wind” greeted over 100 people with about 20 children as they approached St Giles’ Church on Sunday 12th June and many were drenched before they came through the door. However, the Rev’d Alastair McCollum gave everyone a warm welcome to celebrate White Sunday and the appropriate hymns were accompanied on the organ and by the music group. Joan Ewins read the story of the coming of the Holy Spirit before the assembled disciples which enabled them to pass on God’s word in many languages. The Rev’d Anne Mills preached the sermon and the Rev’d Kate Woolven led the prayers. 83 adults took Communion and all of the children came up to the altar for a Blessing and afterwards displayed their “tongues of fire” which they had been making during the Service. It was a lively occasion following which refreshments were enjoyed at the back of the Church.
Corol Dunmow and Caroline Lavender would like to record a huge vote of thanks to all the flower arrangers that produced the 27 innovative and beautiful displays in St Giles’ Church over the weekend 3 – 5 June. The standard achieved was quite outstanding and many complimentary remarks have been received. John Mellows has produced a particularly good DVD of the flower arrangements set to music and anyone wishing to borrow it, or buy a copy of it, should contact Coral or Caroline. An album is being produced recording events over the Flower Festival/Exhibition weekend for permanent display in the Parish Church and those willing to donate high quality photos (6x4 or 8x6 ins) are requested to forward them to Brian Lavender or leave them for collection in Hurfords Stores.
The St Giles’ Church annual fete will be held in the Village Hall at 2.30 pm on Saturday 16th July with activities in the Vicarage Garden if the weather is favourable. There will be a variety of stalls including plant, produce, cake, book, nearly new gifts as well as a tombola and a Draw for which contributions would be most welcome. There will be side shows to entertain the children and cream teas and other refreshments available. Please support the occasion by bringing family and friends as all profit will go to your Parish Church.
The Exeter Temple Band of the Salvation Army will be coming to Kilmington on Sunday 17th July to lead a Songs of Praise in the Vicarage Garden at 3.00 pm. A number of residents have responded to the request to choose a hymn or song and will say a few words about their choice. You can be sure of an uplifting event with this wonderful band, so please encourage family and friends to join you. In the event of inclement weather, the Songs of Praise will be held in the Village Hall.
STUNNING DISPLAYS IN KILMINGTON
Good weather helped to attract crowds to the St Giles’ Church Flower Festival and
Photographic Exhibition with quilting and patchwork displays in the Village Hall
over the weekend 3-
The well known photographer Richard Austin from Lyme Regis who opened the Photographic Exhibition on the Thursday Preview Night praised the very high standard of photographs exhibited by local residents and the quality of the quilts and patchwork. The organisers, Helen and Julian Shaw, Diana Church, Pauline Horwood and Joan Lovegrove were all commended for their expertise and hard work in arranging the exhibits and preparing the Hall so well. Mary Seward, Barbara Woodsford and their team of helpers were also thanked for providing refreshments throughout the weekend.
A Jazz Picnic in the Vicarage Garden was enjoyed by about 50 on the Friday Night with Kilmington’s Cathy Clarkson singing with the “Swing of the Axe” music group led by Mike Tyler. The Lyme Bay Chorale directed by Alex Davies participated in a well balanced concert in the Church on the Saturday evening, organised by Margaret Hurford, which included performances by local artistes Rachel Burrough, Gemma Wakley, Cathy Clarkson and Leah Stonex. Sixteen year old Lauren Kerslake gave an excellent rendering of “Scaredy Cat” on the clarinet while her younger brother Alex gave an impeccable performance of “All My Loving” on the trumpet, each receiving prolonged applause from the audience. Entertaining readings were given by the Rev’d Anne Mills and Elisabeth Miller.
The Sunday evening Flower Festival Service, conducted by the Rev’d Alastair McCollum, included several of the hymns chosen from the floral representations and was very well attended by members of all the Parishes in the Five Alive Mission Community, providing a fitting conclusion to a wonderful and memorable weekend in the Village. £3,464 was raised for St Giles’ Church as a result of the weekend activities and £651 for the Village Hall maintenance fund. Thanks are due to the many people who worked so hard to ensure such a memorable and successful weekend. Joan Lovegrove very kindly donated £320 to the Church from the raffle of her magnificent quilt and £200 to the Village from the sale of her other goods.
See photos of the display here
After a lifetime in farming, Michael and Gill Collier hosted a St Giles’ Church Rogation Service in one of their barns at Summerleaze Farm in Kilmington on Sunday 29th May, attended by over 80 people including a good number of children. The Service was conducted by the Rev’d Kate Woolven who explained the significance of Rogation as the season of planting, and readings were given by Michael and Gill while Margaret Hurford (also a farmer) and the Church Music Group led the hymns and songs. Pastor Darrell Holmes, the Baptist Minister, promoted thoughts for Rogation by pointing out that one of the greatest challenges in the future was the provision and fair distribution of food throughout the world as its population increases at an alarming rate. Kate, Mark Burrough and Ann Marsh led the prayers for farmers and for their crops which were being adversely affected by lack of springtime rain, and gave thanks for the animals, birds and other creatures with which we were blessed.
During an interview, Michael gave interesting insight into his experiences as a dairy
farmer explaining that he and Gill were running down the milking herd of Holstein
Friesians prior to retirement but would continue to rear young stock for a time.
They would support their son Andrew and daughter-
The Service concluded with thanks to Michael and Gill for all they had done for the Village and the community over the years, and the Rev’d Kate give the blessing before refreshments were enjoyed while the children cuddled the springer spaniel puppies and admired the exotic birds that had been brought to the barn.
See photo gallery of Rogation Service here.
KILMINGTON SONGS OF PRAISE
The Exeter Temple Band of the Salvation Army have kindly agreed to come to Kilmington on Sunday 17th July to lead a Songs of Praise in the Vicarage Garden at 3.00 pm The Band has a wide repertoire of hymns/songs including some of the new rhythmic worship ones. Readers wishing to request a hymn/song of their choice are asked to forward them to the undersigned by 12th June stating whether they are willing to say a few words about their selection at the event.
Brian Lavender – 01297 34922
At the time of writing, preparations are well underway for the St Giles’ Church Flower Festival and associated activities over the long weekend of Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June. Nearly 30 floral displays representing “Hymns Ancient & Modern” will be produced by arrangers from St Giles’ Church, one each from the other Parishes in the Mission Community and by a number of guest arrangers. You are reminded that the open hours are 10.00 am to 6.00 pm although there is an early closing on the Sunday at 4.00 pm. When you read this, there may still be time for you to get tickets at £5 per head for the Jazz Picnic in the Vicarage Garden starting at 6.30 pm on Friday 3rd and for the Concert with the Lyme Bay Chorale and other artistes at £7.50 per head in St Giles’ Church at 7.30 pm on Saturday 4th. If you buy tickets for both events at the same time you only pay £10. Everyone is welcome at the Flower Festival Service in Church at 6.30 pm on the Sunday, especially the flower arrangers. Don’t forget that refreshments will be served all day in the Village Hall where you can view the Photographic Exhibition and Displays of Quilting and Patchwork. Please support these events and give generously to help provide badly needed funds for the upkeep of the Parish Church and the Village Hall.
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Six Silver Awards in the Five Alive Duke of Edinburgh's Award Group were presented by the Rev'd Alastair McCollum during a lively Family Service in St Giles' Church, Kilmington, on Sunday 8th May. Anna Cope, who was the Expedition Examiner assisted by Steve Biddle, explained that Ellie Holland, Anna King, Holly & Catherine Voysey, Andy Watson and Alice Witteridge all qualified after their very successful expedition from Portland over 3 daysof hiking and camping, to Bridport. The award winners took a full part in the Service by reading the Lessons, while Anna Cope led the music on the organ and with the Music Group. The Church was crowded because there was also the Baptism of Jasmine Jane James, and many of her family, friends and godparents were present to witness her becoming a member of the Anglican Church. It was a delightful Service with some lovely songs/hymns and the chatter of lots of children
Palm Sunday in Kilmington was marked by a large procession starting from The Common led by Barney, the 14 year old donkey from Sidmouth Sanctuary, stopping for prayers and readings by the Rev’s Alastair McCollum and Darrell Holmes at various points. The Songs and hymns were accompanied by the Vicar on the guitar. Barney was confident enough to come up to the chancel steps to the delight of the children in, spite of a very crowded Church. The clergy were kept very busy throughout the week with Services every day in one of the Mission Community Parishes, and all of them had a special Service on Good Friday, the most solemn day in the Churches year. Yarcombe Church held an Easter Vigil with fire on the Saturday, and 15 early risers were present at 7.00am on Easter Sunday to “Reflect on the Empty Tomb” outside the symbolic Shute Beacon. The Easter Sunday Service at St Giles’ Church was led by the Rev’d Nigel Freathy who was given a warm welcome on his visit. So passed a busy and eventful week which gave plenty of opportunity for communal spiritual sustenance, prayer and rejoicing that Jesus died and was resurrected to save us all from our sins.
See photo gallery of Holy Week here.
MOTHERING SUNDAY AT ST GILES'
There was a good congregation for the Family Mothering Sunday Service in St Giles’ Church on 3rd April, Lay led by Michael & Ann Marsh. The Church was well decorated with daffodils picked by the Collier family from their fields, and about 100 posies were prepared by Corol Dunmow and Valerie Quick for presentation by the children to mothers in the congregation, with enough left for neighbours and friends. The Rev’d Anne Mills gave a very interesting talk about Moses and the bull rushes and the Music Group led the songs and hymns on a very joyous occasion.
ST GILES' AGM MEETING
The Vicar welcomed the 29 residents that attended the AGM meetings in St Giles’ Church
on 11th April. At the Vestry meeting to elect the Church Wardens he expressed great
disappointment that no-
KILMINGTON CELEBRATION WEEKEND -
In addition to the Flower Festival and Photographic Exhibition/Quilting Display over the weekend Friday 3rd – Sunday 5th June (advertised separately), the following additional events are planned:
Jazz Picnic Evening. A Family Jazz Evening led by the Swing of the Axe Music Group will take place in the Vicarage Garden on Friday 3rd June starting at 6.30 pm. Bring your own food and drink but glasses, seating, tables and cover will be provided. It should be a fun evening in good company. Tickets at £5 a head, children free, will be available from Hurfords Stores or the Church Wardens.
Concert. A Concert in St Giles’ Church has been arranged for Saturday 4th June at 7.30 pm. The Lyme Bay Chorale will be performing under the direction of Alex Davies with accompaniment by Nicholas Brown to include The Magnificat – Pergolesi. Other local artists will include Rachel Burrough on the violin, Gemma Wakeley with the cello, Margaret Hurford on the piano and Lauren Kerslake with the clarinet/saxophone. Tickets from Hurfords Stores or Church Wardens at £7.50 to include wine during the interval.
Flower Festival Service. A Flower Festival Service will be held in St Giles’ Church on Sunday 5th June at 6.30 pm conducted by the Vicar, to conclude a long weekend of activities in Kilmington. Everyone is most welcome to attend.
Note: Those wishing to attend both the Jazz Picnic and the Concert will only have to pay £10 – a bargain!
ROGATION BARN SERVICE AT SUMMERLEAZE FARM
Michael and Gill Collier have kindly agreed to host the St Giles’ Church Rogation Service at Summerleaze Farm on Sunday 29th May starting at 3.00 pm. Rogation Sunday is the time to celebrate the season of planting (it’s a bit later than usual this year) when we pray for our farmers in particular and the many gardeners in this area. As most know, Michael and Gill are running down their milking herd in preparation for retirement and this will be a marvellous opportunity to hear about their experiences and thoughts after a lifetime in farming. The Service will be conducted by the Rev’d Kate Woolven and the Music Group will lead the singing. The opportunity will be given for all the children to plant giant sunflower seeds in the pots provided, and their produce will be judged at the Harvest Festival Family Supper on Monday 3rd October. Churchgoers or not, everyone is invited to attend this Rogation celebration at which refreshments will be served. Wear clothing and footwear suitable for the weather and vehicle parking will be close by. Lifts can be provided from the Village Hall car park by contacting the undersigned.
Brian Lavender – 01297 34922
FAIR TRADE AT ST GILES’ CHURCH
As part of Fair Trade fortnight, the usual Friday morning coffee shop at St Giles’ Church in Kilmington on the 11th March was dedicated to fair trade goods which were on sale, including a large number of cakes baked by residents using fair trade ingredients. The earthquake and tsunami’s in Japan and the Pacific featured prominently in prayers at the Family Service in the Church on Sunday 13th March. However, helping poor countries to improve their economies, providing the means to do so and purchasing fair trade products featured as the main theme for the Lent Service. The children showed great enthusiasm in finding clues hidden in the Church to match the fair trade articles on display and the adults enjoyed the fair trade refreshments afterwards. Rachel Burrough masterminded the events, ably supported by Jo McCollum and Judy Micklethwaite, and the proceeds were donated to Traidcraft, the Company that helps to fight poverty through trade.
Mothering Sunday will be celebrated at a special Family Service in St Giles’ Church at 11.00 am on 3rd April during which posies will be presented to those mothers present with plenty to take home to friends and neighbours. It was decided that this year, a lunch or tea would not be organised because so many families arrange to take their mothers out on that special day – so don’t forget to make your own arrangements by booking early!
The Archdeacon of Barnstaple and the Vicar will continue the talks about the Prophets on Wednesdays 6 April and 13 April respectively in the Village Hall at 7.30 pm during which refreshments will be served. The last of the Lent Lunches in aid of Shelter Box will be held on Thursdays 7th and 14th April in the Village Hall at 1.00 pm. Your support for these occasions would be most welcome.
The AGM will be held in the Village Hall on Monday 11th April to which all Kilmington residents are warmly welcome. It will be preceded by a short but very important “Vestry meeting” to appoint the Church Wardens, and all parishioners on the register of local government elections are entitled to vote. The AGM will follow with the usual reports and elections during which those on the church electoral roll can vote. After refreshments, a discussion will be held about a new Five Year Plan for the Church. Your ideas and views are encouraged and we look forward to a lively and productive discussion.
The flower arrangers will again decorate the Church appropriately this Easter but some residents like to fund lilies in memory of loved ones. The large arum lilies are now very expensive while the longiflorum lilies are much more reliable and cost considerably less. Whatever your choice, please telephone the undersigned with your request and the names of the loved ones to be remembered to enable a special memorial list to be prepared.
The Church Flower Fund is nearly exhausted and although most arrangers generously donate their flowers, festival occasions require additional expense to keep the Parish Church looking lovely. Your donations to the undersigned would be most appreciated.
Caroline Lavender Coral Dunmow
01297 34922 01297 33337
There are many opportunities on offer to join in Services and events to mark the most important week in the Christian calendar, leading to the great celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ on Easter Sunday. A procession from Kilmington Common led by a donkey from the Sanctuary will set off at 10.30 am on Palm Sunday 17th April past the New Inn and down The Street to St Giles’ Church, stopping at various points for songs, prayers and readings, as well as the distribution of palm crosses. The joint Anglican/Baptist Service will start at 11.15 am to which of course everyone is invited. There will be Mission Community Services at 7.30 pm on Monday 18th April at Dalwood Church with special prayers for Penitence; on Tuesday 19th in Shute Church with prayers for Healing; in Stockland Church on Wednesday 20th with prayers and reflections; and on Maundy Thursday 21st a Service to include the symbolic washing of feet and stripping of the altar at St Giles’ Church. On Good Friday 22nd April, there will be Mission Community Services in all the Parishes: a Family Service at Dalwood timed for 10.00 am; a Village Service in Yarcombe Methodist Church at 11.00 am; Prayers & Reflections at Stockland Church at noon; Stations of the Cross in Kilmington Church at 1.00 pm; Prayers at the Foot of the Cross in Shute Church at 2.00 pm. On Easter Saturday there will be an Easter Vigil in Yarcombe Church at 9.00 pm.
The Easter celebrations will start at 7.00 am by the Shute Beacon with a short informal Service entitled “A Reflection on the Empty Tomb” (dog walkers welcome) and a Family Communion Service will be held in Kilmington Church at 11.00 am which will include the Baptism of Joseph Freathy and an Easter Egg Hunt in the Vicarage Garden. Families, friends and visitors are invited to attend any of these events. We wish you all a very happy and blessed Easter.
The Rev’d Alastair McCollum
The Rev’d Darrell Holmes
CHRISTMAS IN KILMINGTON
In spite of snow and ice over the Christmas period which made movement in the Village difficult, there were some very enjoyable and memorable events. On 17th December, a carol singing group which reached a total of 18 sang on the Kilmington Common and moved off to herald the birth of Jesus at eight central locations in the Village. A warming mulled wine at Janet and John Robertson’s en route was welcome and the group was well received in the Old and New Inns where diners and drinkers joined in heartily. The experience quelled doubts that Village carol singing was not appreciated.
The Carol Service in a beautifully decorated St Giles’ Church on Sunday 19th December was well attended, the earlier time of 5.30 pm attracting a number of young children; a change from the traditional Nine Lessons and Carols, the younger members appeared to appreciate the reduced number of Readings and the Address by the Vicar. As usual, Liz Stonex did a great job in organising the mulled wine and mince pies. The Crib Service taken by Gill Heighway also attracted many families on the afternoon of Christmas Eve and the excitement was reflected in the faces of the children as they brought the figures of Joseph and Mary, shepherds and sheep and the three wise men to the crib while the appropriate carols were sung. The Christmas Eve Communion led by the Vicar was surprisingly well attended with several residents bringing relatives and friends staying over Christmas. The Christmas Day Holy Communion at 8.00 am attracted 6 stalwarts and the Mission Community Carol Service on Boxing Day (also St Stephen’s Day) brought few from the other Parishes; however, in view of the road conditions, we were lucky to have so many people visit St Giles’ Church over the period. Our thanks go out particularly to Millers Farm Shop for the gift of the Christmas and Memory trees, to the Flower Arrangers and those that loaned the poinsettias which made the Church look so colourful, and to the Choir, Church Wardens and Clergy who worked hard to ensure that the true meaning of Christmas was so evident.
KILMINGTON FLOWER FESTIVAL AND PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION
A Flower Festival in St Giles’ Church and a Photographic Exhibition in the Kilmington Village Hall will take place from Friday 3rd to Sunday 5th June 2011 . Flower arrangers from Dalwood, Shute, Stockland and Yarcombe (all part of the Five Alive Mission Community), will assist at the Flower Festival which will have as its theme “Hymns Ancient and Modern”. Photographic exhibitors will be invited from anyone in Kilmington and the surrounding area and there will be a special children’s section for those of 12 years and under. There will also be a display/sale of patchwork and quilting in the Exhibition.
A concert, to include the Lyme Bay Chorale, will be held in St Giles’ Church on the Saturday evening and a special Flower Festival Service will take place on the Sunday evening. The Flower Festival and Exhibition will be set up on Thursday 2nd June, and an Exhibition Preview will be held in the Village Hall that evening. Refreshments to include morning coffee/light lunches and afternoon teas will be available in the Village Hall on all three days. Further details will be published in due course. Meanwhile, any queries regarding the Flower Festival should be addressed to Caroline Lavender (34922) or Coral Dunmow (33337) and about the Exhibition to Diana Church (32417) or Helen Shaw (631063).
CHRISTINGLE SERVICE AT ST GILES'
The Christingle Service in St Giles' Church, Kilmington on Sunday 12th December brought many families with lots of children eagerly anticipating the moment when they were to receive their candlelit Christingles. The Rev'd Kate Woolven gave them all a warm welcome and explained the significance of the orange, the ribbon, the candle and the sweets. There were some lovely well known songs/hymns, a few of which were led by the popular music group led by Margaret Hurford. Kate, assisted by Church wardens Ann Marsh and Bill Kerslake, then lit the candles which the children carried to the altar steps where the Choir sang the Christingle song "Its rounded like an Orange". It was a wonderful and very memorable Service and the collection was donated to the Children's Society.
