THE PARISH OF BENSON

							        THE PARISH OF BENSON: ST HELEN’S CHURCH




                                   MAY 2012
Dear Friends,

After a drought and a flood (almost) I think the summer is just around the
corner! We will be celebrating the birthday of the Church, otherwise known as
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Pentecost or Whit Sunday, on Sunday 27 May. It seems a good moment to
share some news.

THIS TIME TOMORROW
On certain Sundays over the next few months various people will be sharing
with us what they will be doing “this time tomorrow”. How does faith affect our
work and our life outside church? And how well do we know each other? The
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first one will be at 10am on Sunday 13 May.

INTO AFRICA
A friend of mine, Mark Boobbyer, who has been a teacher in this country for
many years, has just accepted the post of Director of Tiger Kloof School in the
Diocese of Kimberley and Kuruman, South Africa. This is a very poor part of
the country and most of the people are Tswana speakers. Mark will be
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speaking to us at 10am on Sunday 10 June.

STREET PASTORS
Churches Together in the Wallingford Area have a team of Street Pastors who
have a ministry to the young people of the town. Ralph Sheppard, who heads
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the team, will be speaking to us at 10am on Sunday 22 July.

FOOD BANK
The Wallingford Emergency Food Bank is another initiative of Churches
Together in the Wallingford Area. There are people in need in our community –
due to broken relations in families, delays in receiving benefits, and other
eventualities and complications. If a needy person/family is identified through
the surgery, Citizens Advice Bureau or the Churches they will be given a
voucher for 3 days’ worth of food which can be redeemed at the Food Bank.
There is more information on the notice board and on a leaflet at the back of the
Church. If you would like to help, food can be left in the box by the main door.
Thank you.

THE QUEEN’S DIAMOND JUBILEE
This is going to be a great celebration! At the Church there will be:
     Saturday 2 June: 10am – 4pm Floral and Art display; 11am -12pm
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         and 2 – 3pm the Bell tower will be open to watch the bells being rung.
     Sunday 3 June: 8.30am and 10am services; 12 – 5pm Floral and Art
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         display; 2 – 4.30pm tea and cake being served; 5pm SONGS OF
         PRAISE with choir and orchestra. Hymns will be chosen by local
         organisations.
     Monday 4 June: Village celebrations in and around the Parish Hall.
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TEA AT THE VICARAGE
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You are invited to come for tea at the Vicarage on Sunday 22 July at any time
from 3 – 5pm. It is a way of saying ‘thank you’ to the many people who help
with the churchyard, bell ringing, sidesmen, flower arrangers, church cleaners -
and with so many other responsibilities. We are grateful to you all!

ORDINATION
We are very fortunate to have the Revd David Gifford with us as our Curate.
For the past year he has been a deacon. He, together with other candidates,
will be ordained priest by the Bishop of Dorchester at Dorchester Abbey on
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Sunday 24 June. The service will begin at 10.30am. On this day there will
be a service at 8.30am at St Helen’s but not at 10am. Please make every
effort to come to the Abbey to support David. After the service you are all
invited to a bring-and-share lunch in the Canons’ Room.

LOOKING AHEAD
There will be lots of things happening in the autumn, but I would like to tell you
about the following:
    Christianity Explored – this 10 week course will be launched in
        September. It is for those who would like a refresher course as well as
        for those who are new to the Christian faith. The course is presented
        by DVD and discussion. I do hope you will consider joining.
    The Bishop of Oxford, the Rt Revd John Pritchard will be taking the
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        10am service and preaching on Sunday 4 November.
    There will be a Parish Away Day on Saturday 10 November. This is
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        open to anyone from the parish and will be an opportunity to review the
        last year and to plan for the future.

I hope you all enjoy the summer with the Jubilee, the Olympics and holidays!
With best wishes,
Your friend and Vicar,
                                                                   Tel: 832008