"God has given us an opportunity to share in His kingdom work. All we have to do is to show up by giving ourselves and our resources. And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up" Galatians 6 v 9.Our March meeting, held at the home of Michael and Jane Brake on a lovely sunny Spring morning, welcomed Ann Salter, a member of the Salisbury/Sudan Medical Link to talk to us about her visit to South Sudan, visiting 16 health clinics and meeting with local Mothers' Union groups in the area. This visit was completely self-funded as any money raised is used to help fund the training of clinical officers, nurses, midwives and other staff to provide high quality care. There is an urgent need for midwifery training in South Sudan which has the world's highest maternal death rate as well as a high infant mortality. A career as a nurse herself allowed Ann to visit with understanding and to see for herself what the staff have to deal with on a daily basis. The Salisbury/Sudan link supplies basic kits which include, antibiotics, antimalarials and pain killers and maternal delivery packs for safe birthing. These packs cost £5 each and as a group we hope to raise money later in the year to support this aspect of their work. Major fund raising for the work comes from Open Gardens in Salisbury, a summer Fete at South Canonry and a Christmas Fair, as well as individual donations and the support of parishes in the diocese. Ann was thanked by Veronica and given a copy of our 100 ways to be thankful book of reflections which had been gathered during lockdown. Jocelyn told us of the many other dates for Mothers' Union for the rest of March which will be reported on in the next magazine.Prayers were shared and Jane thanked for her hospitality . Our next meeting on April 3rd at 10am at the home of Jocelyn, will be "Easter Thoughts and Customs," an intriguing title which I am sure will not disappoint.Enid Holbrow.
On Saturday 15 March twelve people met to find out how they can support the future of Westbury Parish Hall. The congregation of All Saints' Church are asking for the people of Westbury to get behind their vision to create a community hub. Around 5 of these were non-church members including Andrew Murrison MP who expressed his hope that the Hall remains open for community use.The congregation of All Saints' are faced with the double responsibility of the Grade I Listed church which requires tens of thousands of work on the roof, stonework and windows and the expense of upgrading the tired Parish Hall. They are unable to support both projects alone and are asking for a community based charity to take on the management and development of the Hall. Individuals are asked to show their support and become members of the new Charitable Incorporated Organisation that they hope to set up. Trustees and volunteers would be drawn from these members. The new charity will need project managers, fundraisers, and people who can help to manage the hall on a day to day basis.The congregation have reached crunch point. The deteriorating condition of the Hall means that it is getting harder to get bookings and it's no longer covering its running costs. As the church only just breaks even each year this is not sustainable. If nothing changes there is a real possibility of having to close and sell the Hall. Everyone who attended the meeting agreed that it would be a tragedy as the Rainbows, Brownies, Guides, St John Ambulance Cadets, Youth Club and the other community users will have to find an alternate venue. It has so much potential if we could just get Westbury behind the project.If you would like to support the Hall project please complete the membership application form below and send to Beth on beth@whtministry.org.uk or 07790 870 247 by the 31 March. Please contact Beth if you need further information. The steering group will then meet to see if there is enough support to make the new charity viable and if so call a meeting of potential members after Easter and agree next steps together.
“May your unfailing love be with us, Lord, even as we put our hope in you”March is in many ways, a month for women as we mark International Women’s Day and Mothering Sunday. Women once were deemed the weaker sex: yet so often they have an abundance of power and strength inherent in their very being. Simply because of love! (MU prayer Diary)In February we had our Soup Lunch and Wave of Prayer. Joined by MU members from Westbury and Mere as well as friends from church we enjoyed a lovely lunch of soups, cheese, bread rolls, cakes, tea and coffee. Suitably replete Revd. David Hart led us in our annual Wave of Prayer; remembering the work of our fellow MU members around the world. In unity and love we link hands with our worldwide family of God. Whilst we pray for others, others are praying for us. We are remembering all that the Salisbury diocese does with Virtual Babies, Angel Tree, the holiday home at Rockley Park, Baby Bundles and the Salisbury Women’s Refuge. We prayed for those campaigning against modern day slavery and gender based violence that awareness will be raised and as a result, protection and healing will be provided. The generous donations will be used to further the work of the Virtual Baby project in Schools. Our meeting in March will hear a speaker from the Salisbury/Sudan medical link. Thursday March 6th (venue t.b.a.)“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand “ (Isaiah 41 v 10)Enid Holbrow
At an event on the 15 February, members of the White Horse Team Ministry churches, along with others from churches in the community and surrounding areas, gathered to explore the topic of disability justice and church inclusion.We explored key themes in disability theology, looked at research data outcomes, shared practical suggestions for increasing accessibility and inclusion, received a fantastic time of sharing from Revd Neil Robinson (Chaplain to the Deaf and hard of hearing community in Salisbury Diocese) and joined in a time of inclusive worship.It was a wonderful day of sharing and learning together.Thank you so much to all of those who came along on a cold day to explore this important topic together. And a big thank you to those who helped with setting up, with the tech on the day, with welcoming, serving refreshments and with the running of the day. The support and hard work of the team involved is very much appreciated.If anyone would like to access the resources pack from the day this can be found at the link below:https://media.acny.uk/media/events/attachment/2025/01/5768d2a8-b63a-44ae-95c5-dfa1dfd84446.pdfIf you would like to view a recording of the whole day, or any part of the day, this can be found at this below link:https://www.youtube.com/live/uSDDiwlX8Do?si=X1LNqNZGVoMuMkAsFor a copy of the slides from the day please get in touch with me by email at:teamcurate@whtministry.org.ukWe are now in the process of getting together a Disability and Church Inclusion Committee group who can meet to discuss key issues, create reports and updates for the PCC, and ensure that key next steps are being actioned. If you would be interested in joining this group I would love to chat to you about this. Please do get in touch with me by phone or email if you would like to discuss getting involved.With many thanks,Rev Holly Newton
