Ian celebrates 30 years in the Parish with his good friend
Bishop Bill Ind.

Click to download the
church newsletter (pdf)

St Peter in the Wood holds regular services and a family service every month.

A popular church for both Weddings and Baptism.

Visit this page for information on Church Services.

The Parish of St Peter in the Wood in the Benefice of Appleshaw, Kimpton, Thruxton, Fyfield and Shipton Bellinger in the Diocese of Winchester.

Services
August
15^th Parish Communion 11am
29^th Fete and Flower Show service 11am
September
5^th Parish Communion 11am
12^th Parish Communion 11am
19^th Family Worship 11am
26^th Parish Communion 11am
October
3^rd Parish Communion 11am
17^th Harvest Family Worship 11am
24^th Parish Communion 11am
November
1^st Parish Communion 11am
7^th Parish Communion 11am
14^th Remembrance Sunday 10.50am

Notes:
Parish Communion means a Communion Service with hymns.
Family Worship means a service for the family of the Church at which children and their parents are particularly welcome.

The Rector Writes

I am spending August (among my other duties) writing up my doctoral thesis.  I started my part-time postgraduate work in 1985 and was sponsored in my studies by local business people among others and travelled to Hull University to complete an M. A., in ‘A Theological Understanding of Industrial Society’.  The University is situated in the place where I was born, and I took the degree a few years after the death of my parents and I found the travelling and reconnecting with the place very helpful in grieving for them.

Some years later, in 1997, I took up my studies again; this time at Oxford University at a Permanent Private Hall, Regent’s Park College, a Baptist foundation.  Matriculating at and graduating from the Sheldonian Theatre were both memorable occasions, and marked four years of engagement with students and teachers alike, as well as visiting a beautiful and interesting setting for studying for an M.Th in Applied Theology.

Since 2004, I have been associated with the Education and Professional Studies Department of King’s College, London, taking part in their Professional Doctorate course in Theology and Ministry.  As with many other professions, the university is interested in linking pure academic study with its application in the world of work, which includes, in my case, being a vicar.  But it could be a doctor, teacher, dentist or other professional.

Why am I writing about this in this column?  Firstly, because parishioners show an interest from time to time and I like to report in; secondly, because I want to be accountable to those who have made it possible for me to enjoy my time here as a parish priest, some of whom have supported me with funding towards the fees. 

Last, but not least, being taught and doing research, as well as being examined externally and formally, has helped me personally to develop whilst staying in one benefice for three decades.  It has also resourced me to take up the role of Diocesan Adviser in Pastoral Care and Counselling, managing the Clergy and Lay Workers Counselling Scheme on behalf of the Bishop, and, lately being elected as Chairman of the House of Clergy in the Diocesan Synod.  I also value being an academic tutor of ordinands on the Southern Theological Education and Training Scheme, based in Salisbury at Sarum College in the Close.

Without the grounding of all this in parish life, my interests and wider responsibilities would not have the authentic rootedness that I experience, whenever I think of and pray for the five communities, whom I have the privilege to serve, as I engage with my other work elsewhere.

     

Sunday Club

Family Service: new format!

At the PCC, we are always reviewing the way our Church services are run, and have decided to make a small change to the Family Service: as of January 2010, we will adopt a new format: the Sunday Club at 10.30 will stop; instead, we will focus on the 11.00 service, with a particular emphasis on encouraging the younger members of our congregation to participate by ringing the bells, reading the lessons and taking collection. At the end of this service, which lasts approx. 40 minutes, we invite you all to join us for coffee and tea, and squash and biscuits. We hope that in this way, we will encourage all those who attend the service to stay and have a chat! And of course we hope that lots of little people will enjoy it too…
I hope that you will like this new format; please remember that children are welcome to all the other Services at St Peter-in-the-Wood as well!
Please please please contact me if you have any thoughts or questions! I have talked about this with some of you, and we have come up with some great ideas… so lots more to come. This is just the beginning!Of course, I am always happy to talk to anyone about ideas, so please contact Letitia tel. 772360 email: Letitia@cooks-farm.fsnet.co.uk.


St. Peter-in-the Wood Appleshaw Refurbishment Plan 2010  

There are three categories of work that the Parochial ChurchCouncil
hope to complete in this plan:   

1) Quinquennial Inspection Requirements

• Repair vestry external door    
• Realign gutter to down pipes    
• Redecorate and make good plaster/render internally and externally    
• Render/mortar repair to tile aisle, porch plinth and tower parapet     
• Repair glass fibre roof finish on tower 

2) Specific Projects

• Replace carpet in Chancel and Sanctuary with terracotta tiling
• Install corona lucis, made by Kurt Linssner, in memory of Charles Shirley     
• New west inner doors and plaque in memory of Lt. Col. Kidson-Montgomerie, given by his family, made by Berry Leighton-Boyce
• Construct archway and lamp at entrance to churchyard path to be made by the Linssners    
• New path to west door     
• Install loop and sound system for hard of hearing in memory of Sir John Clark  

3) Other     

• Repair west window     
• Adjust bells    
• Review and, if recommended, remove yew tree belt    
• Lantern bases and tops in memory of Don and Mary Philpotts
• Biological lavatory     
• Catering unit installed 

During the last year, plans and estimates have been followed up by the appointed architect to present to the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches.  Over £13000 has been raised so far for the project.