Wiverton News - June/July

People were bringing little children to Jesus in order that he might touch them: and the disciples spoke sternly to them. But when Jesus saw this he was indignant and said to them, “Let the little children come to me; do not stop them – for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs.” And he took them in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.[Mark 10:13 – 16]

What about a modern re-rendering?: For the disciples read the church! A bit overstated? Well, let me reflect on one particular concern.We are all familiar with the traditional wide open door offered to new born infants in the Service of Baptism. The church welcomes a new person and member alongside their parents and godparents.We do it because of Jesus’s words, just quoted, and because of the faith expressed and the promises made in the service. Jesus, clearly, includes children - infants, little children and older children - in his plans for God’s kingdom. Baptism is his gift; and the more fully its membership is taken up so much more we discover the joy of belonging to Jesus and knowing him. But, despite such an inclusive beginning, why has the church excluded children from the other gift Christ gave his disciples, and commanded them to “Do this in remembrance of me”? I am referring, of course, to the sacrament of Holy Communion.We have grown up with the custom – although it is only 200 years old - of the church saying ‘No’ to children being welcomed to theLord’s table. Jesus gave the bread and the cup to the believing community as a sign to recall God’s self-giving love in dying and rising again, and as a means for each member to be fed. These tokens deliver his gift to us: ‘an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace’. We - adults - have argued that children are not yet ready.They are not spiritual enough. They don’t understand enough. Yet find me an adult who is spiritual enough, who understands enough,who is worthy enough! Kneeling at the communion rail and eating a small wafer/bite size of bread and sipping from a cup is meaningful to any and all who feel they belong in Jesus’s family, regardless of age orworthiness.The good news is that the Church of England is changing its approach, making it in line with other main stream traditions [e.g. Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Methodist]. It is now opening the door for children who regularly join in worship alongside their parents to receive the bread and cup from a young age [6/7 years upwards, as and when they are clearly ready for it] and certainly without having to be confirmed first by the bishop.Confirmation, in consequence, would carry just a single ticket: the public moment as an adult to declare your faith in Christ. The parishes of the Wiverton Group have decided to take up this challenge. A number of churches are inviting parents and children to enrol for a preparation course to start in June, and congregations are being encouraged to think through the changes that are required, particularly in understanding and attitude. If you are interested contact your parish church.Families who attend an All Age service are being encouraged to see thisas a bridge which leads them from one interactive ‘fun’ kind of worship to another - also interactive and fun - yet presenting them with Christ’s gift, symbolized in the bread and the cup: his own life and love. This is the heartof Christian worship, and always has been. “Do this in remembrance of me.” Jesus says to us, and to our children.

Granby Open Gardens and Garden Trail
Sunday 15th June 1.30 - 5.30pm
This is to be the Granby-cum-Sutton Parish Council’s principal social and fund-raising village summer event for 2003. Details of the Garden Trail from the village hall
• Activities for children.
• All village groups involved
• Parish church will be open to visitors
• Refreshments and exhibitions in the village hall
• Plant sale
Events will conclude with a service in All Saints’ Church at 6.30pm
A WARM WELCOME TO ALL-COMERS!
Andrew Wigram

Announcements
‘Dialogue’ - Understanding Islam
Wednesdays in June study course, 7.30pm in St. Andrew’s Church Langar. This is the title of a 4 part study pack designed to enable Christians relate toMuslims and Islam. Each study session will encourage you to address a key question facing Christians and Muslims today, and challenge you to make a personal response. The 4 sessions are
i. What did 11 September have to do with Islam?
ii. How do Muslims seek God?
iii. Understanding Muslims in Britain
iv. Is Jesus a bridge or a barrier to dialogue?

Included in the pack is a leaflet, Islam - a brief guide produced by British Muslims, giving an excellent summary of belief and way of life, an introductory video My Muslim neighbour – listening, understandingand sharing faith.
This course runs from Wednesday 4 June. It is open to anyone who is interested, from any of our parishes. Please contact the Vicarage.

An Evening with Lance Pierson, the Holy Poet “As good as a Feast”
Entertainment with stories, sketches & poems.
Thursday 24th July 7pm at The Bearings Newark
Plenty of parking
Access for the disabled
Supper served in the 45 minute interval
Fund-raising for Mothers’ Union AFIA [Away from it All]• Local contact: Catharine Wigram 0115 989 3172• Tickets £8.50 (to include supper) from 01636 610333

June & July Diary

JUNE
Sun 1 11am Baptism of Verity Haig - St. Michael’s Elton
Mon 2 7.30pm Granby P.C.C. - 4 Granby Hill, Granby
7.30 for 8pm Cropwell Care AGM - The Friendship Centre
Wed 4 7.30pm Dialogue - Understanding Islam [1] - 4 week course- Millennium Room, St. Andrew’s Langar ALL ARE WELCOME!
Sat 7 10am-12pm Elton Coffee Morning - Manor Cottage Grounds
12pm Wedding: Mark Maddocks & Sarah Box - St. Andrew’s Langar
Sun 8 Day of Pentecost 11am Baptism of Samuel Roberts - St. Giles’ Cropwell Bishop
Mon 9 2.30pm Mothers’ Union: Visit from Stanton Hill Link Branch - St.Andrew’s Langar
Tue 10 8pm Colston Bassett P.C.C. - Memorial Chapel St. John’s Church
Wed 11 7.30pm Dialogue - Understanding Islam [2] - St. Andrew’s Langer
Sat 14 3pm Wedding: Paul Jepson & Zoe Mundy - St. Giles Cropwell Bishop
Sun 15 Trinity Sunday Granby Village Open Gardens [See details]
6pm Choral Evensong in All Saints’ Granby
Tue 17 7.30pm St. Mary’s Colston Bassett committee - Churchgate Cottage
Wed 18 7.30pm Dialogue - Understanding Islam [3]- St. Andrew’s Langar
Sun 22 11am Dedication of plaque – St. Giles Cropwell Bishop
Mon 23 7.45pm Langar & Barnstone P.C.C. - Bridge House Farm
Tue 24 7.30pm Deanery Synod: AGM & Social - Whatton Parish Church
Wed 25 7.30pm Dialogue - Understanding Islam [4] - St. Andrew’s Langar
7.30pm Southwell Minster Clergy Renewal of Ordination Vows
Thu 26 8pm Elton P.C.C. - St. Michael’s Church
Sun 29 St. Peter’s Day 9.45am Baptisms of Lucie and Matthew Hover, and Jake AaronKirkby - St. Andrew’s Langar

JULY
Sat 5 & Sun 6 Parish Weekend [See details under Announcements]
Sun 6 10am Parish Weekend Group Service - St. Andrews’ Langar
5pm Family Care - Southwell Diocese Family Offering Service -The Minster [NB Bishop’s Manor gardens open from 3pm for teas]
Sat 12 3pm Bingham & District Bell-ringers Meeting - St. Giles Cropwell Bishop
Mon 14 2.30pm Mothers’ Union Relief & Development for the Poor [AndrewBarker, Christian Aid] - St. Giles Cropwell Bishop
7.30pm Tythby & Cropwell Butler P.C.C. - Methodist Chapel
Wed 16 7.30pm Music in Quiet Places: City Waites - St. Andrew’s Langar
Tue 22 End of School Summer Term
Sun 27 11am Baptism of George Askari [Family Straw] – Granby
4.30pm Blessing of Marriage: Nick Leader & Melanie Ottewell - St.Andrew’s Langar

From the Registers
FUNERALS
Apr 17 Edwin Guy Clarke Cropwell Bishop
Apr 23 Mary Ann Lowe Cropwell Bishop
May 1 Barry Allsop Cropwell Bishop
May 8 Joan Symonds Granby

Personal

Councillor David Barlow would like to thank all the people in the Wiverton Ward who supported him in the recent borough council elections. Also Clare Hayes who was elected to the borough council at the same time wouldlike to thank all who voted for her; and she promises to serve Wiverton to the best of her ability. Councillor John Cranswick is grateful for support he received returning him onto the council for Thoroton Ward.

Mrs. Anne Terzza of Cropwell Bishop has asked for this to be included: Raymond Baxter, died 15 June 1956 aged 36 years In loving memory of a dear husband and dad.We cannot bring the old days back,your smile we cannot see,but we still treasure the memoriesof the days that used to be.With our love,wife, Mary, Anne and family x x x x

Do something beautiful Parish Weekend - 5 & 6 July 2003
Why not a different sort of Saturday for a change? A day for• displaying your talents....• or learning from someone else with a talent you want! It will happen in St. Andrew’s church, Langar from 10am.• Come to your selected activity so as to get dug into ‘hands on’fun. There will be places available on the day.Activities available -candle making - mosaic workshop - flower arranging -young people - games and activities, including football -making music - drama - relaxation - bell-ringing -and more, depending on the talent that comes forward to offer!We need people to host the workshops and suggest ideas for the day. Or simply come along and take part! The Wiverton Group covers a wide area andmust include many amazingly gifted people. This is a great chance to bring everyone together. The more the merrier! On the Sunday we shall hold just one single service within the Group - at10am in St. Andrew’s Langar - a chance to thank God for his talents given to us, and to celebrate his gifts of creativity: including some of the things whichwill have been produced on Saturday! Everyone is welcome to come!

GRANBY, BARNSTONE & DISTRICT - Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal - November 2002
The grand total for the November 2002 appeal was £1,538.54. Many thanksfor your generous donations and our thanks to all our collectors for their hardwork.page

Music in Quiet Places 2003 - Rushcliffe Borough Arts & Culture
The City Waites How the World Wags Concert: Wednesday 16 July, 7.30pm at St Andrew’s Church, Langar
With a riot of period instruments, four lusty voices and all the exuberanceof an early travelling band, The City Waites sing, play and jest their way through an evening of songs, ballads and dance tunesfrom the tavern, theatre, court and countryside of old England. From sentimental songs of the Restoration theatre and the musicalcries of street traders to the funky foot-stomping jollity of avillage green knees-up, this deliciously eclectic repertoire constitutesone of the richest musical veins in all of Western tradition."Smashing performances, an absolute winner" - Classical Music Magazine
Local ticket agent: Post Office, Main Street, Langar. [Also from Nottingham Playhouse]
Ticket Prices: £6.50 full price; £4.50 concession; £2.50 under 16s
Promoted by Nottinghamshire County Council and Rushcliffe Borough Council.