Church news

Dear Friends

I am sure that many of you will have heard that, after eighteen years in Melbourn and Meldreth, I will be leaving to take up the post of Vicar of Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks in the Diocese of Salisbury. It has not been an easy decision as we, as a family, have very much enjoyed living and working with you all in Melbourn and Meldreth. We have made lots of friends here and I am sure our children will always see it as home.

We have thought long and hard about this decision, but gone are the days when vicars stayed in their parishes for thirty plus years and by the time I retire, if I stayed here, I would have been with you for thirty-three years! I do wonder what my Easter and Christmas sermons would be like after that length of time. This way, I can at least recycle some! I do believe that it is healthy for parishes to have a different perspective and a new vicar brings different gifts and abilities.

The process for appointing a new vicar is likely to take some time, as the Diocese does not rush these things! It could be a year or so before someone is appointed, but I know you will support Mary, our Associate Priest, and the Ministry Team who will shoulder the responsibility of covering the various aspects of pastoral care during the interregnum.

When we began searching for a new job I hadn’t realised just how difficult and different the whole process had become. These days you don’t just get asked to look at a new parish, you have to apply, have several interviews, preach sermons and do presentations, so I feel very lucky to have got through this process in one piece, We didn’t set out with any geographical area in mind and certainly had no idea what Canford Cliffs was like! In fact, at interview, I called it Canford Hills and had to be reminded by the Churchwarden that it was actually Canford Cliffs! The parish consists of one church and a chapel on Sandbanks which has a midweek service. The building dates from the 1960’s and it will be the first time, in twenty-five years that I don’t have a medieval building to look after. The Vicarage is a ten-minute walk to the beach and I hope that many of you will look us up if you are planning a trip to Dorset. The main attraction of the parish was not the beach, as you might think, but that we found the people warm and welcoming and very similar to our friends here.

Our last Sunday in Melbourn and Meldreth will be the 28th June at All Saints’ Church, Melbourn at 9.45 a.m. We will be moving shortly afterwards and my licensing as Vicar of Canford Cliffs and Sandbanks will be on Tuesday 21st July at 7.00 p.m. at the Church of the Transfiguration, Canford Cliffs, with the Bishop of Salisbury. It would be lovely to see you there if you are able to come.

I just wanted to say, once again, how happy we have all been here in Melbourn and Meldreth and how much that is due to all of you. We couldn’t have wished for a more lovely and welcoming place to bring up our children and you will always be very much in our hearts and prayers over the years to come. We shall expect to see you in Dorset for your holidays! Andrew, Joanne, Tom, Rebecca and Tilly (the Dachshound!).

Craft & Chat Group Our Craft and Chat group have been busy making knitted baby sets that were sent to South Africa, which were gratefully received by King Dinuzulu Hospital. We are currently knitting a selection of small blankets, hats and cardigans for Rosie Maternity Hospital in Cambridge. For this project we need to use 4-ply wool for the hats and cardigans but can use double knit for the blankets. If you would like to donate any spare wool, it would be much appreciated. We meet on Thursdays 2-4pm in the URC Church Hall, please come along to knit, craft or just have a cup of tea and a chat. Everyone is very welcome. Please contact Anne Field 220869 Lent Bible Study A number of people from churches in Melbourn and Meldreth met together at Melbourn URC in the weeks leading up to Easter to follow the York Lent Bible Study course. It was a good time of fellowship and discussion.

Easter creations by junior church Over the Easter period you may have seen the tree and gates covered with decorated Easter eggs, our junior church group and other friends in the community enjoyed painting these.

Junior church members were delighted to see the new bulbs emerge as spring got underway (some of us got wet and muddy planting them last year!).

The passing of a much-loved friend & Melbourn URC church member

Mrs Gwen Thurley died on the 3rd April at Addenbrooke’s hospital aged 93. Gwen was the beloved wife of the late Derrick. Gwen was a member of Melbourn URC all her life; she served as an elder for many years and sang in the choir up until the weeks before her death. Gwen was an inspirational and selfless person, with always a kind word and show of interest for those around her. A service of thanks was held on the 16th of April. Donations in Gwen’s memory were made for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund. Moorlands Court We continue to provide monthly services and fellowship for residents of Moorlands Court on the first Sunday of each month at 2.30pm. Church Secretary changes Peter and Eirwen Karner have served jointly as Melbourn URC secretaries for the past few years and done a superb job in keeping us all on track. Many thanks for all your service.

Rosaline Van de Weyer has been newly elected as church secretary and can be contacted by email: secretary. melbournurc@gmail.com or by telephone: 01223 870869 Welcome to All If you are interested in joining us at any of our services, you will receive a warm welcome. Our weekly Sunday service is at 11am.