THE LINK

The Parish Magazine for the parishes of

St Catherine and Holy Trinity Ventnor and St Boniface Bonchurch

MAY 2020

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Ventnor & Bonchurch Parish website address

www.ventnorcofe2.btck.co.uk Email: ventnorcofe@hotmail.co.uk

Churchwardens

St Catherine’s John Bagshawe and Adrian Pinnock

Holy Trinity Mark Bell and Jo Nicholson

St Boniface Philip Kennerly and George Westcott

The Ministry Team

Rev’d Canon Hugh Wright 01983 853729

Email: hugh.wright1957@btinternet.com

Gill Chaloner Reader 854659

Jenny Hopkins-Holder Reader 852575

Gill Smith Reader 856134

Nicola Pinnock Reader

Lay Pastoral Assistants

Mary Bell - Jo Nicholson

Sally Fitzgerald - Janet Kay

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SPOILT FOR CHOICE?

Last Sunday, the Sunday after Easter, I “took part” in a variety of services, all

without leaving the lounge! First of all, came the Radio 4 Service from a

church in Manchester, where I enjoyed the simplicity and directness of the

message, even if I didn’t much like the music.

A quick coffee, then to turn on the television for an actual service on BBC1,

(Gosh, we haven’t had one of those for a bit!) It was recorded before

churches were locked from St David’s Cathedral in Pembrokeshire, with

hymns very familiar to Holy Trinity choir from our own St David’s Day

Service in March.

Finally, I watched the service that the team from St Catherine’s had so

carefully put together, and re read the contribution from the Rev’d Rosie Deedes on the circulated pew leaflet.

Other members of the congregation and of my family watched the “local”

service from the Portsmouth Cathedral staff, which can be found on

Facebook at 9.00a.m. on Sundays, and also services from other cathedrals,

Durham and Chichester to name but two! For these, of course, you need a

computer, though I would have been quite happy with the combination of

radio, television and pew leaflet. (Something about “old dog” and “new

tricks”.)

I’m very grateful to everybody, particularly Hugh, the St Catherine’s Team

and also Mark Bell, who have worked so hard to circulate services, pew

leaflets and C Ds for us.

BUT….is “virtual” worship the same as “real” worship?

I suppose to someone who is strong-minded, used to praying alone, and

comfortable with being solitary (a state imposed on many of us at present),

it is a valuable stimulus to bring us into God’s presence, to offer him our

“prayer and praise and thanksgiving”. It is, after all, something that monks

and nuns do all the time!

But I miss being in God’s presence WITH THE FAMILY. I pray out loud at

home, I sing along with the hymns, but I miss the fellowship of my Church

family, of the congregation, of familiar faces, and of the choir and organ. I

miss the shared faith, the shared emotion, the sharing of joys and sorrows,

the general giving and receiving of love and friendship, and above all, the

sharing in the Bread and Wine of the Eucharist.

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Coronavirus COVID-19

Information for the Isle of Wight

New helpline to support those at risk. 01983 823600 A new helpline number is now available to support the Island’s most

vulnerable residents affected by the coronavirus (Covid-19) self-isolation

measures.

People who do not have a local network of friends or family to support

them while they are self-isolating or social distancing can call

(01983) 823600 (seven days a week, 9am-5pm) for support.

The helpline has been put in place by the Isle of Wight Council in

partnership with the Island’s voluntary networks, including Community

Action Isle of Wight, Citizens Advice Isle of Wight and Age UK Isle of

Wight, to support those who meet the coronavirus ‘vulnerable’ criteria.

I know that we are keeping up with each other via email, text and phone

call, and I’m grateful for the way people take the trouble to call or to write

I appreciate, too, the time, trouble and expertise that has gone into

services for us to enjoy at home. I like the feeling that the Ministry Team is

saying Morning Prayer at the same time every day, some looking at each

other, some not! ( Sorry, Hugh, I don’t think I’ll ever be a Zoomophile!)

So I pray that when all this is over and our churches are open once again,

that we will meet together with real gratitude and enthusiasm and enjoy

offering the WHOLE experience of corporate worship, as the Family of

God, The Body of Christ.

“Though we are many, we are one body,

Because we all share in one bread.”

May that day come soon. Gill

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To help people with their Worship in May, here are the set

Readings from the Lectionary for each Sunday, so that we can

all read them as part of our preparation.

READINGS FOR MAY

May 3rd The Fourth Sunday of Easter

Acts 2:42 - end

1 Peter 2:19- end

St John 10:1-10

May 10th The Fifth Sunday of Easter

Acts 7:55-end

1 Peter 2:2-10

St John 14:1-14

May 17th The Sixth Sunday of Easter

Acts 17:22-31

1 Peter 3:13-end

St John 14:15-21

May 24th The Seventh Sunday of Easter

The Sunday after Ascension Day

Acts 1:6-14

1 Peter 4:12-14,5:6-11

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Parish Pump

Daily Hope

The Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, has launched a free national

phone line as a simple new way to bring worship and prayer into people’s

homes while church buildings are closed.

Daily Hope, which is available from today, offers music, prayers and reflec-

tions as well as full worship services from the Church of England at the end

of a telephone line.

The line which is available 24 hours a day on 0800 804 8044 has been set

up particularly with those unable to join online church services during the

period of restrictions in mind.

31st May - Not a Ghost but a Gift By Canon David Winter

We used to call it Whitsun – ‘White Sunday’ because long ago children marched to

church in white on that day. No processions nowadays, and we’ve even changed its

name. It’s now ‘Pentecost’, which is more accurate but needs explaining.

Pentecost marks a vital event in Christian history. It is celebrated 50 days after

Easter. The year Jesus was crucified (which took place at the Passover), the remnant

of His followers, just 120 of them, were together in an upper room in Jerusalem.

They were afraid to show their faces in case the authorities arrested them. But on

the day of Passover they had an amazing collective experience.

They described it in terms of wind and fire, a great surge of spiritual energy and

confidence. Afraid no longer, they burst out on to the streets where crowds were

gathering for the festival, led by Peter they began to tell them about Jesus and His

resurrection. As they did so, although many of the people in the crowd were

foreigners who spoke other languages, everyone heard them in their own tongue.

Peter told them that what they were seeing was the fulfilment of an old prophecy

when God would pour out His Spirit on the human race, men and women, young

and old.

As a result of His words and the extraordinary spectacle, 3000 people believed and

were baptised in the name of Jesus. They were the nucleus of what in 100 years

would be a Church that would turn history upside down. For Christians Pentecost is

in effect the birthday of the Church.

Many people find the whole idea of the Holy Spirit mysterious and elusive. It wasn’t

helped by the earlier title ‘Holy Ghost’. The spirit is not spiritually a ‘ghost’ but a

precious gift.

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Please like and post on our face book page

https://www.facebook.com/St-Catherines-CofE-Ventnor-

314020795635041/

Or Tweet us @StCathsVentnor

Sunday 29th March podcast. on the YouTube link below

https://youtu.be/bGl-zysfWPU

Volunteers

If anyone wishes to help in whatever small capacity or enquire how they

may help, they should contact the Community Action Ventnor

volunteer@actioniw.org.uk. Who will arrange a telephone call ‘checkout

’suitability and relevant checks.

Ventnor helpline and people standing by to take calls: (01983) 853775

or 857848 between 09:00 and 16:00

E-mail: help@ventnortowncouncil.org.uk

Worship at home Did you know that there is a daily service on Radio 4 at

9.45am (for DAB, search for DService), Also LW.

Also a Sunday service on R4 at 8.10 am

BBC Radio Solent will be broadcasting a ‘Virtual Service’

between 8 and 8.30am Songs of Praise 1.15pm.

Premier Christian Radio also has worship daily

at 12noon and 2.30.

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LOOKING FOR THE GOOD THINGS

When Trinity Folk started up a couple of years ago now, I came across an

instrument that I had never seen before. It was being played by one of our

regular guests and I had a good look at it as it seemed just what I needed. It

was called an Autoharp, and it started me off on a journey of adventure.

These instruments are not that easy to get hold of in this country, but are

popular in America, and also in parts of Europe. The history of them is

slightly contested, but they basically first appeared in the later years of the

19th century before disappearing into obscurity in the early 1900s. Then in

the middle of the 20th century they suddenly became popular again because a

family in America called the Carters started singing popular folk and country

tunes using the Autoharp as a principal part of the accompaniment. The

matriarch, Maybelle Carter, became a sensation and the Autoharp was back

in favour. One of her daughters married the singer Johnny Cash and he gave the Carter family a lot of exposure. You can find videos on YouTube of the

Carters and of Maybelle playing the instrument.

Autoharps are based on a zither, with the addition of bars across the strings

which are felted, and which you depress to form chords. (They are some-

times referred to as Chorded Zithers as ‘Autoharp’ is really a trade name for

a particular make.) Perfect for me as I had never had any luck learning the

guitar, and you don’t really have to know much about music theory to get a

start on an Autoharp. Even better, the chord names are written on the

bars!!

Anyway, with the help of Debbie Dwyke, whose Autoharp I had admired, I

took the plunge and looked on eBay to see if I could buy a second hand one

to try. They are quite expensive new and I did not want to make a costly

mistake! To my joy I found a vintage 15 chord bar Oscar Schmidt (one of

the best makers) for a very reasonable price and decided to take a gamble

on the condition, which looked good in the photos. I am so glad I did, as my

‘Harp came with a sturdy case, and all its original documentation showing

that it had originally been purchased from a store in Colorado Springs in

1970. What’s more, it was in near perfect condition, with only one chord

bar missing a bit of felt. This proved to be easily rectified as the three

missing three felt blocks were carefully saved in an envelope in the case.

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Anyway, suffice to say that I really enjoyed getting to know the instrument

and what I could do on it, and also linking up with other players throughout

the UK. I now have two ‘harps, my recent purchase being a practically new

21 chord bar model, also by Oscar Schmidt and also found on eBay. I feel

that I was meant to have these two instruments as buying things on eBay can

be rather a lottery, and I have won twice!!

The lockdown we are currently experiencing has meant that I have had much

more time to play and practice with my ‘harps and I am learning about music

all the time. As a piano player (of very poor quality) playing chords is quite a

different perspective for me, and I am finding out about relationships,

modulations and all sorts of unusual chords. One of the things I enjoy is

trying to work out the chords to a tune that I know, but have only ever

played on the piano, or sung. And here we come to hymns.

The first Sunday service from St Catherine’s that was put on-line included

Michelle Brock playing Finlandia. The hymn normally sung to that tune is Be

Still my Soul. I felt that the words were so apt for our current situation, and

I love the tune, so I wondered if I could play it on the Autoharp. I felt so

pleased with myself when, after half an hour or so, I had worked out the

chords in a key that was playable on my 21 chord ‘harp. The slight drawback

with Autoharps is that the number of keys that you can play in is limited by

the chord bars on the instrument. Luckily Finlandia was in Eb which was

available to me.

With 21 chord bars you can play in more keys that you can with 15. Most

popular folk tunes or country songs are written in a limited number of keys,

and this is reflected by the chord bars available on Autoharps. You can

change the arrangement of felts to produce bars with other chords, but you

can’t swap them over very easily, so dedicated ‘harp players often have

several different instruments, each playing in different keys.

Anyhow, having succeeded with Finlandia, I have now addressed some more

hymns that I particularly like and am enjoying playing and singing whilst under

‘house arrest’!! I have also had time to play the piano a bit more than usual,

but unfortunately I cannot play and sing at the same time, as my piano playing

is halting at the best of time!

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So, I am thanking God for the time I am able to spend with music as my

companion during this time, and looking forward to being able to play at the

folk club again before too much longer. Probably not playing Finlandia

though! More likely to be Scarborough Fair or Blow the Wind Southerly!

1st May - James the Less, quiet son of Alphaeus

One thing for sure: the apostles were not self-obsessed. In fact, many a church

historian has wished that they had left us just a few more personal details about

themselves in

the New Testament. James the Less is an excellent example.

This is the name we give to James the son of Alphaeus, but beyond that, who was

he? Sometimes he is identified as the James whose mother stood by Christ on the

cross. Sometimes he is thought to be the James who was ‘brother of the Lord’.

Sometimes he is thought to be the James who saw the risen Christ. He has also, and

often, been called the first bishop of Jerusalem. And finally, sometimes James the

Less has been thought of as the author of the Epistle of James.

really knows? If none of these identifications are correct, we know practically

nothing about James the Less. So perhaps on this day we can simply recall ‘all’ of the

James’ above, and thank God for the mother who stood by the cross, the brother

that supported Jesus, the apostle who saw his risen Lord and gave his life to

proclaiming the truth, the first bishop of Jerusalem, and the author of the marvellous

Epistle of James.

Whether it was one James or several, they were all faithful to Jesus, and proclaimed

Him as the Messiah. So perhaps that should make them James the More!

James the Less has been given an unusual iconographic emblem: a fuller’s

club.Tradition has it that he was beaten to death with one, after being sentenced by

the Sanhedrin in AD62. In England there are only 26 churches which are dedicated

to James the Less.

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Articles for the JUNE Magazine should be sent in by May 11th please.

You can email it to Joan Garlick at ventnorcofe@hotmail.co.uk

A text From Joan....would I write a bit for the magazine? Don't think

so was my grumpy thought. ALL conversations on radio or tv etc have that

word in beginning with C (no prizes for guessing what word). So off I

stomped upstairs to wash and sort out my dear old Jim so that he could

look out of the window at least for part of the day. We call it ticking over

definitely not running these days. Do you ever feel guilty about saying or

even thinking “no" sometimes? I did coming down those stairs and seeing

lying on the mat a small square brown envelope and I swear it smiled a

little secret smile at me. So there fokies I had my first disc of St.

Catherine’s Sunday Service delivered I learnt later by Hugh on his faithful

steed. Sorry his bicycle. I couldn't wait to share it with my darling Jim and

there were tears and laughter as we held hands and joined in. And so, it

has been with the other wonderful gifts we have received from Adrian and

his team and from Mark at Trinity...Trinity being the first church we

attended when we came to the island 50 years ago. So, you see Kizzie

Baker there was no need for such grumpiness for the letter C stands for

many things.... Care, Comfort. Companionship. Compassion...and they all

remind us of love. THE MIRACLE OF FRIENDSHIP. There's a miracle

called “FRIENDSHIP “that dwells within the heart, And you don't know

how it happens or when it gets its start.... But the happiness it brings you

always gives a special lift, And you realise that “friendship “is God's most

precious gift!

Love and thanks to you all from Kizzie

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On March 1st (St. David’s Day) we had a lovely Cafe Church service led by

Adrian. During this John and I prayed for a gentle end for our lovely 12-year-

old dog Tia, for we were due at the vet’s in the afternoon to have her put

down. She had been fighting cancer, but had now shown that she wanted an

end to it all. This was what the vet had recommended and the vet was

allowing us the privilege of being with Tia for the procedure. The vet laid our

lovely Tia Maria on the table and left us together. Tia’s coat was still a shiny

tan and her brown eyes were pools of love. We engaged our eyes with hers,

stroked her and talked to her for some 5 minutes before the vet returned. ‘I

will tell you when it is all over,’ she said. We continued our engagement of

love with our beautiful dog until we heard the vet’s words and then said,

‘Goodbye Tia’. We both cried. The vet carefully wrapped Tia’s body for us.

We brought Tia’s body home so that we could have a funeral for her and

lay her to rest in the corner of the garden which is our cemetery area for our animals. Next day, after our neighbour had dug her grave, John carried

Tia’s body out of the house and up the steps to the grass, followed by our

senior cat Guiness, in a funeral procession to the graveside where the cat sat

very solemnly. Our second cat Tigger attended the proceedings sitting a little

way away. Only when the ‘thank you’ prayers were over and the first earth

thrown down, did Guiness rise and then race madly round the garden and up

the tree, followed by Tigger. It was over. Tia’s pain and discomfort were

ended and we were left with lovely memories of a dog who had brought us

so much joy over 12 years. She had been a fantastic mother to her five

puppies and had mothered our two cats as well. They were devastated,

going all round the house looking for her. We all felt bereft.

John and I discussed and prayed about having another dog. We felt we had a

dog-shaped hole in our hearts and the cats too felt the loss hugely.

Next day, on returning from his walk with his friend opposite, John had an

encounter with a dog at the bottom of our front steps. It was very friendly

and obedient, sitting at John’s feet to be greeted. Then it returned to its

owner to sit quietly. John asked, ‘What breed is that?’ ‘A cockapoo’, was the

reply. John was very impressed and came indoors to research this breed and

discuss it with me. It seemed like an answer to prayer.

It was on Friday 13th March – just before lockdown - that we went to

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Havant to collect the black ball of fluff that was our eight-week-old Marnie

(short for ‘Grand Marnier’). All our animals over the years have been

named for alcohol – dogs for shorts and liqueurs, and the cats for beer -

what a joke, as we don’t drink much at all!)

What a joy Marnie is - full of fun and radiating love. John and I, along with

our “no.3 son” Duncan, are co -owners of a puppy that is now coming up

to 14 weeks. She is very bright and is learning fast. She has lots of walks

each day around our large garden. She enjoys limited socialization from our

front embankment where we carefully keep social distancing from those

who pass on their way to and from the park. We talk to passers-by and

Marnie shows good manners by sitting to engage with them.

Despite ‘lock-down’, we are being kept very busy Love and joy (and

mischief!) ooze out of our lovely new member of our family. We thank the Lord for this blessing at this time and remember our Tia with love.

9 weeks

13 weeks

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Ventnor FoodBank: Please continue to donate items and leave them in

the bin/baskets found in some of the supermarkets

www.isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk

Food bank update!

What a blessing it has been to become a volunteer at the Ventnor food bank.

Facing closure was the main topic of heated discussions, blame and disap-

pointment. Well God had a plan.

Covid -19 puts things back in perspective and the need look after the vulner-

able. Most of the loyal volunteers fall into categories that mean they are

themselves vulnerable and sadly cannot help physically at this time. 4 volun-

teers are left divided by 2 days a week very biblical 2 by 2!

Jesus has injected so much love back into the food bank by really being acces-

sible to the

community and a level of compassion meaning volunteers can issue vouchers

as a need is

presented either by individuals or housing associations, church family’s coun-

cil and any

agencies. This makes the extra demand a pleasure to serve and a strong foun-

dation to keep this outreach in Ventnor! It’s strange to have to wear gloves

and mask and social distance from customers and not share drinks and chat.

More demand needs more food you say and things are short, well the lord

will provide. More people than ever before are popping in with donations and

humbling stories bring you to your knees. People are really coming together

and thinking of those less fortunate. Hard working people are suffering lack of funds, government support is slow coming and need can only get greater! Ventnor is really showing its community spirit which reminds us what a

friendly caring place it is to live! Thank you to everyone who supports the

needy in anyway and remember this stark fact. We are all only a few paydays

away from poverty!

God bless you all! Steve Northern

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Across

1 ‘Therefore let us — passing judgment on one another’ (Romans 14:13) (4)

3 ‘I — — these persons here present’ (Marriage service) (4,4)

9 According to a prearranged timetable (Numbers 28:3) (7)

10 Group of eight (5)

11 The cell into which the Philippian jailer put Paul and Silas (Acts 16:24) (5)

12 — Taylor, pioneer missionary to China (6)

14 Otherwise known as the Eucharist, Breaking of Bread, the Lord’s Table

(4,9)

17 ‘So that after I have preached to others, I — will not be disqualified for

the prize’ (1 Corinthians 9:27) (6)

19 Attend to (3,2)

22 Approximately (Acts 4:4) (5)

23 Tea rite (anag.) (7)

24 Rule of sovereign (8)

25 Test (anag.) (4)

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Down

1 The name of the street where Judas lived in Damascus and where Saul of

Tarsus stayed (Acts 9:11) (8)

2 ‘The playing of the merry — , sweet singing in the choir’ (5)

4 ‘We have been saying that — — was credited to him as righteous’ (Romans

4:9) (8,5)

5 Dr Martyn — Jones, famous for his ministry at Westminster Chapel (5)

6 Port at which Paul landed on his way to Rome (Acts 28:13) (7)

7 Observe (Ruth 3:4) (4)

8 Minister of religion (6)

13 ‘I am — of this man’s blood. It is your responsibility’ (Matthew 27:24) (8)

15 ‘Greater love has no one than this, that he — — his life for his friends’

(John 15:13) (3,4)

16 Archbishop who calculated that the world began in 4004BC (6)

18 ‘No one can — the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the

Spirit’ (John 3:5) (5)

20 Establish by law (5)

21 Product of Gilead noted for its healing properties (Jeremiah 46:11) (4)

I saw this prayer in the St. Lawrence Sunday Notes and have prayed it (over

the phone) with a few people: Mary Coombs

Ever present God, be with us in our isolation,

be close to us in our distancing,

be healing in our sickness,

be joy in our sadness,

be light in our darkness,

be wisdom in our confusion,

be all that is familiar when all around us is unfamiliar,

that when the doors reopen

we may, with the zeal of Pentecost, inhabit our communities

and speak of your goodness to an emerging world.

For Jesus’ sake. Amen

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Thy Kingdom Come is a global prayer movement that invites Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for

more people to come to know Jesus.

Since its start in May 2016, just three and a half years ago, God has grown

Thy Kingdom Come from a dream of possibility into a movement. In 2019

Christians from 172 countries took part in praying ‘Come Holy Spirit’, so

that friends and family, neighbours and colleagues might come to faith in

Jesus Christ.

This praying together has been across our diversity and differences as

every person, household and church are encouraged to pray in their own

way. Whilst an astonishing 92% of people said they were praying for family

and friends to come to faith in Jesus, and 40% of those taking part in 2019

did so for the first time, we recognise there is much more we can do

together to help Thy Kingdom Come be fully in the lifeblood of the Church.

During the 11 days of Thy Kingdom Come, it is hoped that everyone who

takes part will:

Deepen their own relationship with Jesus Christ

Pray for 5 friends or family to come to faith in Jesus

Pray for the empowerment of the Spirit that we would be effective in our witness

After the very first Ascension Day the disciples gathered with Mary,

constantly devoting themselves to prayer while they waited for the out-

pouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Like them, our reliance on the gift

of the Holy Spirit is total – on our own we can do nothing.

Through the centuries Christians have gathered at that time to pray for

the coming of the Holy Spirit. ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ picks up this tradition.

Over the past three and a half years more and more worshipping

communities have dedicated the days between Ascension and Pentecost

to pray ‘Come Holy Spirit’.

We are praying that the Spirit will inspire and equip us to share the Good News of Jesus Christ with our friends and families, our communities and

networks. It has been amazing how many varied ways there have been in

which people from every tradition have taken up this challenge. The ef-

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fects have been remarkable.

It is our prayer that those who have not yet heard the Good News of Jesus

Christ and his love for the world will hear it for themselves, and respond

and follow Him. Specifically, we again invite each and every Christian across

the country to pray that God’s Spirit might work in the lives of 5 friends who

have not responded with their ‘Yes’ to God’s call.

Whether you have joined in ‘Thy Kingdom Come’ before or not, we invite

you to take part this year – along with churches from over 65 different

denominations in 178 countries around the world.

“In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the renewal

of the nations and the transformation of communities." Archbishop Justin Welby

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be my witnesses …to the ends of the earth. When he had said this…he

was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight…Then they returned to

Jerusalem … and were constantly devoting themselves to prayer… When

the day of Pentecost had come they were all together in one place... All of

them were filled with the Holy Spirit... and that day about three thousand

persons were added."

Acts 1, 2

“In praying 'Thy Kingdom Come' we all commit to playing our part in the

renewal of the nations and the transformation of communities."

Archbishop Justin Welby

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Answers.

ACROSS: 1, Stop. 3, Call upon. 9, Regular. 10, Octet. 11, Inner. 12, Hudson. 14,

Holy Communion. 17, Myself. 19, See to. 22, About. 23, Iterate. 24, Monarchy. 25,

Stet.

DOWN: 1, Straight. 2, Organ. 4, Abraham’s faith. 5, Lloyd. 6, Puteoli. 7, Note. 8,

Cleric. 13, Innocent. 15, Lay down. 16, Ussher. 18, Enter. 20, Enact. 21, Balm.

Ventnor Weather - Month: March 2020

Highlights: The long spell of rain which had lasted over much of the autumn and winter finally came to an end with two weeks of dry and sunny weather over the second I am sad to say that the Met Office have advised that the Ventnor Park weather station be closed for the time being. So no more reports until I have the go ahead. Chris Watts

Rainfall (mm): Date

Total amount 54.4

% of average 103

No. of dry days 19

Highest 21.7 4th

Temperatures (deg C):

Mean 8.1

Difference from average +0.6

Highest 15.3 24th

Lowest 1.5 6th

Coldest day 7.0 5th

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Give us strength

Lord Jesus Christ,

you taught us to love our neighbour,

and to care for those in need as if we were caring for you.

In this time of anxiety, give us strength

to comfort the fearful, to tend the sick,

and to assure the isolated

of our love, and your love,

for your name’s sake.

Amen.

VENTNOR FOODBANK

Please accept thanks from all of us at Ventnor Foodbank for

your help with food at this time of crisis. As you can imagine,

our foodbank is much busier due to the current situation.

We are managing really well with the few volunteers we have

left who are able and willing to carry on. We are not short of

volunteers as social distancing means we only need two on per

session.

Our foodbank centre continues to be open at Ventnor Baptist

Church Pier Street Tuesday and Thursday mornings 10 – 12 pm.

Great care is taken to ensure social distancing is respected. At

present, there is no need for client signatures for the food

received. Only 1 person is allowed into the centre at any one

time. Our volunteers regularly clean all door handles and

adhere to all necessary hygiene rules. If you wish to donate food & need to know which foods are low

in our Cowes warehouse there is a list on the homepage of our

website at isleofwight.foodbank.org.uk.

Large baskets for donations are located at all participating supermarkets.

Christine & Maurice Kane

Ventnor Foodbank

28th April 2020

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BEREAVEMENT GROUP….Can we help you?

We are aware that there are a number of

people who have been bereaved and might

like someone to talk to.

If this is YOU or someone you know, please contact any of

the Bereavement Group from St Catherine’s, Holy Trinity and

St Boniface, by telephoning 01983 853729 Anything you wish

to discuss will be treated with absolute confidentiality.

PRAYER CHAIN Many of you especially newcomers to the Church

may not know about THE PRAYER CHAIN which

has been going for a very long time.

It is made up with a prayerful group of people who

pass on confidential prayers one to another.

If anyone has a confidential or urgent prayer for

themselves or other people, whether members of the

Church or not, then they can ring me on 01983

731142 or email me on e.a.radcliffe@hotmail.co.uk

Ann Radcliffe

Please keep me up to date with any changes or

prayers having been answered so we can thank God”

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