THE PARISHIONER

Ockham with Hatchford and Downside Newsletter

JUNE 2014

Dear Friends,

It is with some sadness that I write what is likely to be my

penultimate vicar’s letter as some of you will have heard that I

have tendered my resignation to the Bishop of Guildford and will

be leaving in the summer. My last service is scheduled for Sunday

20th July.

It is unfortunate but coincidental that my departure was

announced at almost the same time as that of our Rector ,

Elisabeth Bussmann based at St Martins, East Horsley who is

returning to Switzerland to take up a new post as chaplain to St

Peter’s Anglican Church, Château d’ Oex. I should add that my

leaving is not as a consequence of any dissatisfaction or

frustration in my role here. I have much enjoyed my time amongst

you and working alongside the clergy team, churchwardens and

PCC has been a real privilege and joy. I will be leaving to take a

career break and establish what will be the first house that Robert

& I can truly call our own since marrying in 2008.

It would be conceited of me to compare my departure with Jesus’

announcements to his disciples that he was leaving them, but

there is a lesson in the comparison. The disciples didn’t really

believe the message and/or struggled to understand it. Why turn

everything upside down when things were going so well?

Nonetheless Jesus, on more than one occasion instructs his

disciples to keep the faith [John 14:21 ff] and promises them

continued support. My post at All Saints was of a temporary

nature and the congregation have impressed me with their

warmth, generosity and high degree of self-reliance, born of

experience in handling regular change. The Church has seen a lot

of change in the last three and a half years, both in terms of

impressive and expanded facilities, but much more importantly in

terms of lots of new faces, new members, and a growing team of

new volunteers all warmly welcomed by the congregation that I

joined in 2010.

Lest anybody see any one vicar’s contribution as too important,

it’s worth remembering that All Saints was established over 800+

years ago with part of the building dating back to the 12th

century. Indeed the first vicar on the board of incumbents dates to

1150 AD and as such my contribution represents a very small

fraction of service in terms of the whole life of this Church. I am

proud to have been associated with All Saints and impressed by its

determination to thrive and grow.

It’s worth reminding ourselves that none of us ‘go to Church to

worship the person at the front’, the vicar just helps to lead and

conduct an orchestra of talented participants in worshipping God.

It would be a great sadness if the new vitality of All Saints was to

be disturbed and I pray that the congregation, new and old, will

continue to look to Christ as their leader and inspiration, to keep

faith with God and one another during the vacancy and to find

ways to support and encourage Revd Elisabeth Burke and the

visiting clergy who will be called upon to assist until such time as

the vacancy is filled. A new priest will be appointed in time and

like me, they too will be relying upon the faithful foundations built

by generations of Christians in this community.

Robert & I would welcome your prayers as we build our new home

and find a new Church to worship in. The signs are encouraging as

we met our new neighbours last week; James on one side and

John on the other!

You are all warmly welcome to join the congregation at All Saints

on any Sunday, whatever tradition you may come from, so please

do make the effort to attend and support the Church. I’m

confident that it will be rewarding for you as much as it will be

welcomed by the congregation. God has long been the focus of my

life and I encourage you to share the peace and joy and strength

that this brings in your own relationships with God. Please don’t

allow the busy-ness of 21st century life, disturb or frustrate that

possibility.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.

Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change...”

(Psalm 46)

A Prayer for our diocese during the vacancy-in-see:

“Heavenly Father,

Look with your mercy and favour upon your faithful people

here in the diocese of Guildford. Bless and guide those

responsible for the appointment of our new Bishop, someone

of deep faith, soaked in the Scriptures and with a love for

your people. We ask this in the knowledge that you have

oversight of us all, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.”

Parish Clergy

Rev’d Elizabeth Bussmann

(01483 283713)

Rev’d Kerry Tucker

(01483 210167)*

Rev’d Elisabeth Burke

(01932 863886)

Church Wardens

Mrs Sally Pound

(01932 863279)

Mr Richard Peters

(01483 568837)

*Kerry’s Parish days are Mondays and Wednesdays

Don’t forget to keep up to date with everything happening

in our Parish by going to www.ockhamchurch.org.uk

Please send articles for the next edition to Andrew Jackson

by the 19th of the month preceding publication to

jacksoa1@me.com

MU4ALL Is Just That! For ALL THE BEEHIVE The Beehive meets once a month on the 4th Thursday at 2.00 p.m. at St. Martin’s Court. Coffee, cake and a time to share, whilst making a difference to others in need. We meet together to work at MU projects, such as neonatal supplies, knitting, making blankets and quilts and any particular needs which arise. JUNE 12th Ramble followed by a pub lunch

11.00 a.m. start (Kate Ryder)

National Garden Scheme Open Day at Bridge End Cottage On 15th June 2014 Peter and Clare Bevan are opening their garden at Bridge End Cottage, Ockham Lane, Ockham, GU23 6NR for the NGS. Helen Cowell explained how the scheme works in May's Parishioner and you will find details of her and our opening in the Yellow Book or on line http://www.ngs.org.uk/ We will open at 10.30 on Sunday 15th and look forward to welcoming you, particularly if you are coming from the morning service at All Saints. Tea, cakes and savoury snacks will be on sale, with profits from teas going to The Urological Foundation. There will also be a sale of plants in aid of All Saints Ockham Church. Please bring round any plants that would be suitable to include in the sale before then (our phone 01483 479963). Come and see how the 2 acre wild flower meadow, sown in May 2013, is doing now: it is lovely this morning with Red and White Campion. During the afternoon of the 15th June Clare will run a 'Compost Workshop’ for those interested in this subject.

Clare Bevan

FORTHCOMING SERVICES Sunday 8th June Pentecost 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion (*PEBBLES ) Sunday 15th June Trinity 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion (*PEBBLES ) Thursday 19th June 6.00 pm Downside Prayer of Stillness Sunday 22nd June First Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ FAMILY SERVICE Sunday 29th June Second Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am Ockham Combined Benefice Communion Sunday 6th July Third Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Downside Songs of Praise 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion (*PEBBLES )

Sunday 13th July Fourth Sunday after Trinity 9.00 am Downside Holy Communion 10.30 am All Saints’ Parish Communion(*PEBBLES )

*PEBBLES children's group meet in church at the start of every Communion service, leave for their own activities in the Cabin and join the congregation at the end. From the Registers BAPTISM 27th April, 2014 Jack Bernard GOLDSMITH A Canticle for Brother Sun Praised be You, My Lord, in all Your creatures, Especially Sir Brother Sun, Who makes the day and enlightens us through You. He is lovely and radiant and grand; And he heralds You, his Most High Lord.

St Francis of Assisi

The Prayer of Stillness Bible Verse for June

I GIVE YOU A NEW COMMANDMENT, THAT YOU LOVE ONE

ANOTHER. John 13.34

Ockham Cricket Club

May brings the start of the cricket season; it also brought the rain – physical as well as metaphorical. The club had the first 5 home fixtures cancelled due to adverse weather. We also lost two of our supporters through bereavement. Early in May, long term supporter and father to two of our players, Fabian Francis passed away after a long illness. Fabian would often spectate at the Hautboy Meadow. Although a strict disciplinarian, Fabian always had a kind word and a smile on his face. Then later in May, former player Tommy Bell passed away after a short battle with cancer. Tommy represented Ockham CC as a player, spanning over three decades. A true gentleman, always supportive of his captain and team mates, Tommy’s reactions on the field were as quick as his wit off the field. Both will be greatly missed, and both take their place in the rich fabric of the history of Ockham CC. On the field the start of the season has been mixed. The 1st XI slipped to a losing draw away at Holmbury St Mary CC. before succumbing to a heavy defeat at home against Nutfield CC. The 2nd XI’s fortunes have been more encouraging, securing a winning draw away at Horsley & Send CC; followed by a comfortable win away at Ockley CC – most notable for a match winning contribution of 95 not out from new overseas player Yogesh. The Sunday XI have experienced both the good and the bad, opening their account with a 22 run victory against Grand Union CC, only to follow that with a 156 run defeat at the hands of 54th OCA CC. This month’s home fixtures: - 7th June 2nd XI vs Albury 2nd XI 8th June Friendly XI vs Fairlands CC

14th June

1st XI vs Oakwood Will 1st XI

15th June Friendly XI vs Thames Valley Ramblers CC

21st June

2nd XI vs Headley Old Freemans 2nd XI

22nd June

The Neal Greenwood Memorial Match

Friendly XI vs Leatherhead CC

23rd June

Friendly XI vs Effingham CC T20 Cup 18:00 start

24th June Friendly XI vs Leatherhead CC T20 Cup 18:00 start

25th June

Invitational XI vs Helps’ Alcoholics 14:00 start

26th June Leatherhead CC vs Effingham CC T20 Cup 18:00 start

27th June

TBA v TBA T20 Cup Final 18:00 start

28th June 1st XI vs South Nutfield CC 2nd XI

29th June

Friendly XI vs Ockham Village

All Saturday matches commence at 1:30pm and all Sunday matches at 2:00, unless stated otherwise. As the sun shines, we hope to see as many of you as possible down at the Meadow!

Paul Watson Chairman – Ockham Cricket Club

Prayer at Pentecost Dear Heavenly Father, We all come from different places, a bit like that crowd on the first day of Pentecost. We are from different backgrounds, with different experiences that form us. I can’t be just like somebody else and no one else can be just like me. Thank you for the gift of your Holy Spirit to speak and reveal your will to us in a way that is personal and unique. Help us to be open to receive him every day. Please go on filling us with your Spirit Lord, that we might be effective witnesses to Jesus our Lord and Saviour. In his name, Amen. A prayer by Daphne Kitching