See sub-menu for our weekly news sheets, and Diocesan news 

Rev Jean Alexander

9/3/19

  Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) 
Wednesday, 27th March, 7.15pm at St Dunstan's

We will elect:-

• 2 Church Wardens
• 4 Parochial Church Council members.

  'The Galilee Tribe' invite you to CJ’s on 16th March, 7.30 pm to see photos and hear about our Holy Land trip. £5 (inc. buffet).  

3/3/19

Saturday, 30th March. 
Mother's Day Posy Making. 
9.30am at St Dunstan's

3/3/19

 'Naturally Supernatural' at Stafford Showground ST18 0BD
27th July – 2nd August 2019

We’d love you to join us this summer for a week of

wonderful teaching, worship and fun together.

https://booking.soulsurvivor.com/events/naturally-supernatural-summer-2019

You’ll need Jean deGaris' email address to camp with our party. (This is in our current Church Directory)

The Church can help to pay for children and young people to go.

Speak to Jean or Susan for other details

3/3/19

Farewell Lunch for Jean, Sue and family
Saturday, 20th April at 12noon
in the Community Centre.
A sign up sheet will be available soon in our churches for numbers and what food items to bring along. We are having a collection for the de Garis family.  Please hand to the wardens or the church office
4/3/19

Jean de Garis will be licensed as Vicar of St Francis Church, Salisbury at 7pm on Thursday, 16th May.  Members of our congregation are welcome to come and support him and Susan.
17/2/19

Ladies Breakfast
on Saturday 16th March
at 9am in St Dunstan's Lounge.

Dave Hunnings and his 'Band of Merry Men' will be a cooking us a Full English Breakfast (including vegetarian)!  
£3 donation.
Come and join us and bring a friend!

Please contact Jane Routledge as soon as possible if you would like to come, to give us an idea of numbers for catering purposes. 
18/2/19

 We are grateful to Anthony Biela, our part-time youth worker since September.  He has now accepted a full time job as a Teaching Assistant at Montacute special school.  We thank him for the work he's done with us.

3/2/19

 The Church Electoral Roll is being completely renewed this year. EVERYONE must complete a new form from the back of church to be on the Church Electoral Roll.

Your name must be on the roll in order to attend and vote at the Annual Parish Church Meeting. Please return completed forms to the Church Office by 28th Feb 2019 at the latest.

20/01/19

After nine years of running MESSY CHURCH the time has come to end this ministry. It was pioneered by Allie Kerr and Karen Neagle and has served many members of our community with great love. Scores of church members have served in a host of ways over these years in running craft activities, preparing and serving food, providing welcome and sharing the love of Jesus. Thank you to everyone who has served so faithfully – especially Karen Neagle
3/1/19

  Message from  Rev Canon Jean de Garis

Last week (16th Dec), it was announced that the Bishop of Salisbury has offered me a new post as vicar of St Francis Church, Salisbury.

We have loved sharing the last 20 years with you as friends and fellow pilgrims and are very sad to leave, as well as excited about the future.

My final service will be Easter Sunday – 21^st April 2019.    Love Jean de Garis        21/12/18

 Old News and a few non-time-specific items below...

We are invited to give just one Christmas card to the Church Family and to make a donation to the local homeless charity, Routes to Roots and to the work of Malcolm Taylor in Dominican Republic.  Donation boxes at the back of our churches.  9/12/18
PS Latest News update from Malcolm and Yanet is on YWAM Series page

A big thank you to all who contributed to the Christmas Shoebox appeal.  We sent 87 boxes from the church and 43 from Ladybirds Playgroup.
18/11/18

Quiet Day at St Dunstan’s lounge.  All welcome.

Saturday, 1st Dec  10am – 2pm

Hourly meditations, Tea, coffee and mince pies provided. Bring your own lunch. Write your Christmas Cards in peace.

Download poster with details from here  or see below
(the poster may take a little time to appear - sometimes clicking refresh helps!)

Ladies
Continental
Breakfast

St Dunstan's,
Saturday,
10th November.

Saturday, 1^st Dec,
Holton Lee
Christmas Fair,

Volunteers needed to sing carols, please see Les Golding if you can help.

1/11/18

 
Tools With A Mission (TWAM) is a Christian Charity that collects and refurbishes tools and equipment no longer required in the UK and sends them overseas to poor countries. This enables many people there to become self sufficient.
Please have a look in your sheds, workshops and garages for any items you no longer need and that can be refurbished.”

Contact Robin SeQueira who will gladly collect from your home (see church directory for contact details)

1/11/18

So what do our
men get up to?

19th Oct
Friday Film Night

Men's Breakfast
7th April

See more photos on
Men's Fellowship page.

Thank you to all who generously supported our annual fund-raiser for the Dorset Historic Church Trust.  Ten people visited our Parish Church, four went 'striding' around churches in Wareham and ten cyclists went 'riding' up the Tarrant Valley to visit churches there.
Our many willing sponsors gave £728 and half of this will be returned for use in this parish.  Dorset Historic Church Trust will also benefit from Gift Aid on many donations.  Well done! Thanks to everyone.    Eric Stevens  
18/10/18

The Carol Service Choir
will be rehearsing on Sunday afternoons 3pm - 4.30pm at Lytchett Minster Parish Church beginning on Sunday, 4th November.  If you would like to sing you will be very welcome to join us.  It will be a help (but it's not essential) if you can read music a little.

7/10/18

Harvest gifts 2018
Food gifts were given to Poole Foodbank

Harvest Sunday cash donations came to £324.50.  This was given to Routes to Roots

7/10/18

Helpers needed for CJ's
Tuesdays 3-5pm once a month
(including Messy Church Tuesdays)
Please speak to Jean de Garis or Anthony Biela

23/9/18

A short introduction to
Anthony Biela - Youth Worker

"My name is Anthony, I am passionate about Christ and the Love of God.

I have more than 10 yrs experience working with the Youth, from all ages and abilities, working in schools and running my business as a Dancer/Choreographer.

I’m very much looking forward to start getting involved in the church community and CJ’s."

11/9/18

Routes to Roots is aiming to extend its service by providing a lunch each Sunday for about 20 homeless people. St Luke’s and St Mary’s Longfleet are already involved and, as a parish, we’d like to be able to commit to doing one Sunday a month.

We need a minimum of 5 people for each occasion and ideally we would like a total of 10-12 people involved to allow for absences on holiday etc.. Obviously this would mean that those involved on a particular Sunday could not attend our 11 a.m. service.

We would hope to start on Sunday 7^th October.

Would anyone interested in being involved see Karen or Jeff N
31/8/18

A big thank you to Denise Cuthbert who has been doing the flower rota at the Parish Church in Lytchett Minster for many years.  She is now retiring and handing over to the floral group who have agreed to take over. 
Thank you so much Denise!

28/07/18

Organised by Mark P and Dave H, men from the Men's Fellowship repainted the railings at Lytchett Minster Parish Church on Saturday, 21st July.

 Anthony Biela has been appointed
as the Youth Worker for this parish.  He will work with us part time as he has other work commitments.    19/7/18

 Benefice Supper and Quiz  at CJ's, Sun, Sunday, 22nd at 6pm. Details from church office or church on Sunday. TICKETS REQUIRED.

13/7/18

 Sam de Garis is part of a mission team from Canterbury going to Uganda in July.  If you wish to support him financially and in prayer contact him for more information.  (Contact details in Church Directory)

10/6/18

Gala Tent for Summer Camps.  
Sponsored Walk in Wareham Forest on 24th June starting after the end of the 11am service at St Dunstan's.  This is to raise funds for a new Gala tent to use on our Summer Camps.

Meet at Sika Trail car park Wareham BH20 7PE  to have picnic lunch together before walking.
Routes of 7 miles or 2 mile long.

Sponsor forms at the back of our churches or from participants.

More details from Wendy A (see Church Directory for contact details)

10/6/18

2018 Holes Bay Sponsored Walk and BBQ
in aid of Wau Diocese, South Sudan
Saturday, 7th July
Seven mile walk around Holes Bay
Start/Finish:      St Dunstan's, Upton  Anytime between 1pm and 2pm
Refreshments:  St James' Church in old Poole (half way)
Barbecue:         St Dunstan's from 4pm

13/6/18

 Rev Hilary Bond will be ordained Priest on Sat, 30th June at 4.30pm at Salisbury Cathedral. 

Bring and Share Celebratory Meal on Sunday, 1st July at St Dunstan's after the 11am service.  Please sign up for this and indicate what food you would like to bring on the list at the back of the church.

3/6/18

 Dorset Historic Churches Trust fundraiser
will take place on 8th September 2018

Cyclists: see Men's Fellowship page
Walkers:  to be confirmed

General Data Protection Regulation

If you haven't already done so, do please fill in and sign the data protection form at the back of church.  We need this in order to comply with the change in legislation on 25th May in order to have a Church Directory and to contact you. 

6/5/18

Christian Aid Week - Sun, 13th May to Sat, 19th May

Coffee Rota at St Dunstan's - Sundays
Please see Heather if you can join the team of people who serve the teas and coffees after 11am services.  Maybe you can only help sometimes, perhaps when someone who usually volunteers is unavailable.  Help is needed so please respond if you can.  Many thanks.

18/2/18

 Published in January 2018, a collection of poems by
Jodi Page-Clark, illustrated by Wendy Alcock.

“Poetry of an Appalachian pilgrim:
Reflections of a Fisherfolk songwriter”

Click the book cover to see details on Amazon. 
Available in kindle format and as a paperback.

 These poems and reflections span Jodi’s life from recollections of childhood, her experiences of joyful worship, the impact of rejection and abuse, and her struggles with facing old age.
She combines musings about faith and human existence with insights from her psychotherapy training and the work she undertook with the discouraged and wounded people who often looked for help to the Christian community of which Jodi was a leading member for some thirty years.
With honesty and humour she writes simply about family life, falling in love, relationship breakdown, reconciliation and hope.  
Jodi is part mystic, which makes her reflections a refreshingly candid prompt for others who struggle with aspects of life and faith.
Many readers will identify, perhaps with a tear or a smile, with many of the phrases you will find within.  A collection of poems to warm the heart and stimulate the soul.

21/1/18

Flower rota at Lytchett Minster Parish Church. 

More people are needed for the flower rota at Lytchett Minster Parish Church.  Please get in touch with Denise* if you can help  (*See Church Directory for contact details)

13/1/18

 CJ's Youth Café started again on
Tuesday, 9th January from 3.30 pm - 5 pm and will meet on Tuesdays during term time for pupils of Lytchett Minster School.   All young people from Year 8 onwards welcome.

With healthy snacks at reasonable prices, CJ's is a safe place to chill after school, meet up with friends, get some homework done together, play table football, pool, table tennis etc. Occasionally craft or training activities are explored.

12/12/17

 Homeless Sleep Out  at CJ's

Friday, 24th November, 8pm until Saturday, 25th November, 8am

it's that time of year to brace ourselves and appreciate those who are vulnerable.  if you can't join us in the cold, do pray for us and sponsor one of the young people on the youth notice board. 

17/11/17

 Thank you to everyone who supported the recent evening with Canine Partners. The sum of £81.40 was raised.  If anyone else would like to know about the work of Canine Partners, please have a word with Les. 

22/10/17

RIDE+STRIDE 2017 

Once again we made a successful contribution to Ride+Stride, the annual sponsored event that supports Dorset Historic Churches Trust. Six ladies led by Jenny Trinder enjoyed a pleasant walk around Blandford and signed in to five participating churches. They ended by taking tea at the Fashion Museum. Meanwhile, seven cyclists led by Ian Swinden visited churches including Lytchett Matravers, Sturminster Marshall, Shapwick and others along the Tarrant Valley. Volunteers also offered visitors to our church a welcome and refreshments.

Thanks to many willing sponsors, £766 was given plus an estimated £100 sent via JustGiving. With the addition of Gift Aid, DHCT should receive about £1000 from our efforts. We expect to receive about £400 back to spend on maintaining our historic Parish Church. Last year grants amounting to £80,000 were received by historic churches throughout Dorset. 

Many thanks to all who rode, strode, welcomed and gave generously to make the Ride+Stride on 9th September 2017 a great success.

Eric Stevens, Parish Organiser

 Harvest Sunday:  Thank you so much for your kind generosity.  A total of £1,710 was raised and will be sent to Wau Diocese in South Sudan, to help feed the displaced people now sheltering in the Cathedral Compound.  Food Gifts were given to Poole Food Bank

1/10/17

 How about joining a new Home Group?
Grow your connection with others and your understanding of faith.

Ask Jean de Garis for details.

10/9/17

Last year's Shoebox Project ran from Sunday, 17th Sept - 22nd Oct.  .

 Dorset Historic Churches Trust fundraiser
took place on 9th September 2017 
click logo for Dorset Historic Churches Trust Ride + Stride webpages

our cyclists!

   Hilary Bond, Assistant Curate
Hi, I'm Hilary.  I am a Dorset native and have lived all my life in Purbeck except for a few years in London and Sussex for college.  I have a husband, a son and a daughter, all of whom are a lot taller than me!

I was brought up Methodist, but in my unsuccessful attempts to 'escape' from the church, I tried out a few different denominations.
 
About 10 years ago - having temporarily returned to my non-conformist roots - I found myself taking part in a play about the Wesleys. (a good Methodist play obviously) and it was through that play that I discovered the reality of God and Jesus.

It took a bit longer to find out what the Holy Spirit was all about but I got there eventually.  It was also through that play that God introduced me to the Church of England.

There is more to the story and I hope I might get the chance to share the rest of it sometime - telling stories is one of my favourite things; listening to other people's stories is another. 
So here I am - not sure what I have to give - but happy to give it - whatever it turns out to be.
Hilary :-)

Hilary Bond,  Assistant Curate  25/6/17

Thank you to all who gave so generously to the work of Christian Aid:  through Lytchett Minster Parish Church and St Dunstan's Church £594.76 was raised which contributed to a total in the area of £715.66

11/6/17

 10 new NIV Bibles have been bought for
each church. 
They are available from the back to anyone who would like to use during the services.

Do pick one up on your way in or bring your own Bible if you prefer.

6/5/17

CJ's in the car park of Lytchett Minster Parish Church can be hired by groups, clubs or organisations.  For a pdf of the main features, see here