There are lots of ways to get involved in church life whether directly with worship or indirectly through volunteering time and talents.
BELL RINGING
Four of our churches have rings of bells and three of them are usually rung for Sunday services. New ringers are always welcome and training is given for every level of experience.
| Contacts | |
| Child Okeford Friday practice Rose Shaw 01258 268934 | Manston Monday practice Judith Hussey 01258 474673 |
| Okeford Fitzpaine Monday practice Christine Parsons 01258 860048 | Shillingstone Wednesday practice Bob Yorath 01258 861489 |
FLOWER ARRANGING
Our three bigger churches have flower arranging rotas and a very friendly lot of flower arranging ladies.
| Contacts | |
| Child Okeford Susan Clayton | Okeford Fitzpaine Zoe Goddard 01258 861046 |
| Shillingstone Lesley Gasson 01258 861690 | |
CHURCHYARD MAINTENANCE
All our churches have beautiful churchyards around them and tending our churchyards keeps our churches looking loved and cared for. Some of our churchyards having areas set aside for wildlife, or are managed with conservation in mind, but there is still quite a bit of mowing and strimming to do!
| Contacts | ||
| Child Okeford Keith Allen 01258 860068 | Okeford Fitzpaine Jeremy Gartside 01258 860157 | Shillingstone Sylvia Stokes 01258 860802 |
CHURCH CLEANING
As historic buildings our churches need quite a bit of TLC.
| Contacts | |
| Child Okeford Susan Clayton | Okeford Fitzpaine Zoe Goddard 01258 861046 |
BEING INVOLVED WITH SUNDAY WORSHIP
We welcome new people to read the Bible lessons in services and to lead our intercessions and to act as sidesmen (welcomers) at our churches.
| Contacts | ||
| Child Okeford Keith Allen 01258 860068 | Hammoon Georgina Vestbirk 01258 860910 | Manston Andrew Hussey 01258 474673 |
| Okeford Fitzpaine Sue le Riche 01258 861830 | Shillingstone Lesley Gasson 01258 861690 | |
GOING DEEPER IN FAITH
Are you called by God to ministry? For some Christians, it becomes clear that God is asking them to take on particular ministries within the church and the Okeford benefice encourages and supports all forms of lay ministry.
Lay ministry is very varied: it may be becoming a church officer like a churchwarden; it may be being a sacristan or a verger. Other lay ministries are formally commissioned by the Diocese: lay pastoral assistants help the clergy with visiting and care of parishioners. Lay Worship Leaders take responsibility for leading worship, prayers and midweek learning. Other lay ministry is licensed by the Diocese: Licenced Lay Ministers are authorised to take services of the word, to preach, to lead funerals and offer communion by extension. All ministries are supported with role training, DBS checking and safeguarding training.
Other people may feel called by God to ordained ministry.
For every sort of calling or question please visit: https://salisburycalling.org.
GIVING A DONATION
All our churches rely solely on donations to stay open and active. There is no money given to churches from a “central fund”. You can target how your money is spent by specifying what it is to be used for, for example: “for the ministry of the church”, or “for work with young people” or for “maintaining the church bells”.
If you would like to know more about the ways you can give to the church either by donation or by legacy please speak to Anne Powell 01258 861397.
JOINING A PCC
If you have been on the electoral roll of a parish for over six months you can apply to join a church council at the annual general meeting (usually held in April). The Church Council elects the officers of the church (the wardens, secretary, treasurer, safeguarding officer and synod representatives) and is responsible for the management of the church along with the Rector. Church councils meet regularly, but not more than necessary, through the year.