Groups at Bourne Abbey
BellringersThe bellringers have an important ministry to remind the town that the Abbey continues to be a place of prayer on their behalf. The bells are rung for Sunday morning worship, and for special services or occasions a quarter peal or a whole peal is rung. The English style of ringing is called ‘change-ringing,’ and involves considerable skill and dedication. Training is available and we are always on the look-out for new ringers to join us!
Choir and Music
The choir has around 28 people on its books, and continues to lead the worship to the very best of its abilities. The choral repertoire is now mainly composed of communion motets, sung in the Lady Chapel. More plainsong melodies have been introduced where appropriate, and are becoming more familiar. During Advent and Lent, we use responsorial psalms instead of a ‘gradual’ hymn. Particular attention is paid to the need to provide a lead to hymn-singing. We make new members very welcome.
Flower Guild
In spite of the Abbey’s large space, we have a talented Flower Guild that provides a truly beautiful array of colour and arrangements. There is a fund to assist our flower arrangers, so that no one ever need to feel that they can’t take part because their own funds are stretched. For those less experienced in the art, help is available and new members welcome.
Julian Meeting
We meet twice a month: on the first Monday of each month and on the third Thursday. Those who attend are able to enjoy a time of silence together. Our meeting is an opportunity to concentrate for a while on that deeper part of ourselves which begins to open up when we come away from the busyness of life in order to just “be” in God’s presence. It is not an “empty” time. It is a time of being replenished. A time to discover what can only be discovered when we are truly still. This is a time of finding peace, of feeling close to God, of being refreshed. The meeting begins and closes with music and a reflection – with a cup of tea or coffee and a chat when we have finished.
Knit and Sew Friendship Group
Our group meets in the Hall on the third Wednesday of each month. It is an informal group which is open to anyone from the community to join in making clothing and blankets which are urgently needed by various charities. With its emphasis on companionship and a shared purpose, the group continues to grow. Groups helped include St. Theresa’s Charity for the homeless in Peterborough, Aid 2 Bosnia, and Mission to Seafarers.
Martha Group
Willing volunteers keep the brass shining each month, and as it is now used more frequently, the wonderful central candelabra cleaned a couple of times a year. Recently, the group has taken on assisting with the cleaning of the silver as well.
Ministry Team
The ministry team meets once a month at the Vicarage to plan strategically and to discuss the pastoral work needing to be undertaken in the parish. Besides assisting at Services in the Abbey with readings, intercessions and the distribution of the Sacrament, the members of the team lead Services in the Care Homes and other Sheltered Accommodation. They also take Extended Communion to those who are unable to get to Church, and who consequently need to receive the Sacrament where they live. Recently, a ministry to those who have been bereaved has been started.
Mother’s Union
At the Abbey, the membership of the Mother’s Union continues to grow. The meetings are well attended, and care is taken that the Speakers are interesting and challenging. Members make items for charity, support the work of the M.U. overseas, and support the work of the Abbey Church itself. There is an annual ecumenical Carol Service, and other Services during the year. The first Thursday in the month is usually the M.U. corporate Communion in Church. The M.U. supports the ministry of the Church by distributing Baptism anniversary cards to all children for a few years after their baptism, and which includes an invitation to attend the Family Service in Church and the Parent and Toddler’s Group in the Church Hall.
Parent and Toddler’s Group
The Parent and Toddler’s Group meets every Wednesday morning during term time in the Church Hall. It is an opportunity for parents to meet and share whilst their children play in a fun and safe environment. We do crafts with the children and everyone enjoys the refreshments. In the summer there is a Vicarage lawn lunch, and throughout the year there are different activities for parent and child to participate in.
Parish Magazine
The Parish Magazine is a large undertaking, with around 1,000 copies being distributed around the town. The Magazine tries not to be narrow in its appeal and carries articles of sacred and secular interest. There is the clergy page, a recipe page, Quiz, Family Page, Garden Club page, and often an interesting interview – to name but a few items.
Servers
The Servers provide an invaluable service in assisting at public worship. They are often not remarked upon, which is a true indication of their dedication and skill getting on unobtrusively with the job at hand.
Youngbournes
After a break of a few months, we look forward to the return of the Youngbournes Sunday School group under the leadership of Julia Lister and Carolyn Harvey. In addition to conventional Sunday School, we are blessed with skilled ‘Godly Play’ practitioners and a marvellous dedicated space for this activity to take place.
E-mail: info@bourneabbey.org.uk