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We have now commenced our knitting for 'Mary's Men', men of the road in Bournemouth ministered to by the Salvation Army. We supply them each year with warm clothing, gloves, hats and scarves and if you are knitting at home we would be grateful for your help. The deadline is the end of November in time for the Mothers' Union Deanery Advent service when the gifts are presented.
The results of the Lent work was held over for display at the Festival but has now mostly been distributed, some to the Women's Refuge in Bournemouth and by the time you read this the colourful jumpers and some baby clothes will have been delivered by hand to the Shyogwe Diocese in Rwanda. Thankyou all for your marvellous contributions.
Next Meeting: Thursday 6th October in the Library from 10-12.
Christine Clode
Olympic Flame Is On The Way!
The first details of the Olympic Flame have been released. It arrives in the UK on 18 May 2012 at the start of a 70 day journey, before arriving at the Olympic Stadium in London on 27 July 2012.
The Olympic Flame will travel to within an hour of 95% of the population. from the Channel Islands to the Shetlands. Representing peace, unity and friendship, the flame will be carried by 8,000 inspirational torchbearers during the Olympic Torch Relay.
Each day of the relay will see the torch parade its through the streets of three different locations. The closest it passes to our church is Bournemouth on 13th July 2012.
(visit:http://www.london2012.com/olympic-torch-relay for more details)
Youtube Psalm Reading: Bishop and Pupils Join King James Bible Trust Record Attempt
Next time you go on Youtube, you can see the Bishop of Oxford and pupils from a church of England primary school recording the first all age Bible reading for a worldwide project. It aims to capture the whole of the King James Bible on Youtube. See them at
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btHPRm4znwAThe reading marked a double celebration as the National Society was founded 200 years ago to provide education for all through Church schools and the King James Bible was first published 400 years ago.
St. Mark's Ladies' Group
Our next meeting on 6th October, is a talk about Monkey World. Many of us will have been to this visitor attraction in the past and now we will have an opportunity to hear more about it and the conservation side of the venture. Do please come along and join us in the Church Library at 7.45 pm if you are interested in becoming a member of our group.
Tricia Sheppard
Group Leader
St. Mark's Choir
A few months ago an appeal was made for more sopranos and altos. Shirley said then that we are in the happy position of having flourishing sections of tenors and basses. As a result of that appeal I feel we now altos have a flourishing soprano section. For several months now I have been privileged to have Be-ate Hollricher singing alto with me. Be-ate has been staying in Christchurch and will soon be returning home to Germany. I am sure that the rest of the choir will join me in extending our thanks and best wishes to her. However, this will result in a very diminished alto section - just me!
It is a privilege to be in the choir and help to lead the worship and also very rewarding. I have been in the choir for 27 years (with some others catching up). I have always enjoyed it, but never more than at the present time.
You will have heard about the forthcoming festival in June this year; obviously there will be some participation by the choir and it would be good, if by then, we could complete the choir with a flourishing alto section. If you are interested, please give it some serious consideration - you will be most welcome.
Choir practice it a must; this takes place on Thursday evening 7.00-8.30pm. Shirley works us hard but if you like singing, I guarantee you will enjoy it. Why not come along and give it a try. Speak to Shirley, any choir member, or telephone me on 01425-276407. Incidentally, contrary to most other choirs (my experience anyway) - no fee to join. That must be a plus in this present time. I await your interest in anticipation.
Irene Mayes
The Ministry of Server
-Servers are essential if the celebration of the Eucharist is going to continue to occur with the dignity befitting the Central Sacrament of our Holy Faith
-Serving at the Altar of God is an old and important Ministry allowing the person involved to participate more fully in the Spiritual life of any Church.
Bearing the above criteria in mind we would initially like to hear from any lady or gentleman from St. Mark's congregation wishing to undertake training with the aim of joining our current group of Servers and assisting the Vicar once a month at the Sunday 8am Eucharist
For Further Details, in the first instance please contact Fr. Garry or Graham Alexander.
Parish Visitors
Our team of Parish Visitors needs the help of all members of St. Mark's. If you know of anyone who would like a visit by a representative of our Church, who is not being visited by anyone already, please tell Celia Wiltshire(273665) or Gwenda Carveth(272351)
So please be an intergral part of our parish visiting team. We cannot be successful without your help.
The Flower Ladies Of St. Mark's Church
There is a group of people at St. Mark's who are seldom seen, but whose work helps to make the church such a beautiful place to worship in. These are our Flower Ladies, many of whom have been doing this job for a lifetime! Our last retirement was after 50 years service. All of those ladies are volunteers, doing this valuable job because they love it, and enjoy keeping the church looking lovely.
Many of the ladies pay for their own flowers, but we do receive donations from past parishioners' families & friends. I would like to mention these, and the quiet ones who pop a little into the flower fund without telling us who they are. "Thank You..." every penny helps, and your contributions are really appreciated.
We arrange flowers for weddings, funerals & memorials for parish members from long ago. We can also make bouquets, buttonholes, table decorations etc, so if you have an event you would like flowers for, we'll be happy to help. If you would like an arrangement to honour a loved one, or to remember a special occasion, please let me know.
If you have skills to offer, or would like to join us to learn, please contact me on 01425 277147, or a_nash4@sky.com
Thank you ladies for our beautiful church!
Ann Nash
Little Fishes Mother And Toddler Group
Last October after much discussion about St. Mark's outreach into the community, a grey haired group of ladies decided to try and welcome young mothers and their small children to a weekly gathering in the Library. Monday, not a good day, advised SureStart, is the only day of the week when no other toddler group meets in Highcliffe. Also the Church library and hall were free on that day. I visited all of the existing local groups and they were most encouraging - "start at once" was the general opinion.
Publicity went out and we awaited our first session; five lovely mums and their babies arrived. Since then our numbers have grown to 20 plus and we spill into the hall. The "babies" race around now; some have a new brother or sister and there are several more on the way!
Although part of St. Mark's, mothers know there is no obligation to attend church. We always conclude with a prayer and encourage Father Garry to come for coffee and say hello. When appropriate we will share bible stories. Hopefully the children will soon join family and festival services. Some already attend "Songs and Stories" once a month.
The Little Fishes Group is self-funding at present as the small charge of £1.00 covers coffee, drinks and biscuits.
Four lively grannies, Lorna James, Jennifer Walsh, Wendy Ewing, and Jackie Peterson (aided of course by Ian) are the backbone of the group which they say makes them feel brighter and younger. They probably nod off after lunch I expect!
Visit us if you would like to.
Jackie Peterson
