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St Andrew's Church |
Services in St Andrew's Church
(Usually the second Sunday in the month in Whilton - full details of all Benefice services June to August here)
Sunday 11 September - 9.30 - Communion
Sunday 9 October - 9.30 - Communion
Meditation sessions in the Church
(Usually the fourth Thursday in the month)
Thursday 25th August - 7.00 pm
Thursday 22nd September - 7.00 pm
The Rector
Rev Andrea Watkins
01604 771338 email Benefice Facebook
A letter from Kathryn
As we celebrate the long reign and longer life of Queen Elizabeth II, I wonder if it gives us a chance to reflect on our own lives; the ups, the downs and the many different times and seasons that we experience.
I’m at a bit of a crossroads in life at the moment. I’ve been Curate here in the Spencer Benefice for just shy of three years. The good news is that I’ve passed! With the help of Andrea and the communities here, I’ve learnt and grown to the point where I’m ready to take on my own parish(es). This is exactly what was meant to happen, but it does mean finding a new post and moving on. It doesn’t just mean finding a new post. it means finding the right post – somewhere where I will be a blessing to others, as well as somewhere I’ll flourish in ministry. It also means moving as a family, so it has to be right for all of us.
What do we do when we’re facing a major life change? I think we need to stay close to family and wise friends – to listen and to talk things through. And although the Queen hasn’t had the experience of deciding where to live and work in the same way we do, I think that some of the example that she has set over the past 70 years can be applied to my situation.
First – service. Where I go next has to be right for my family and I, but it is also about where I am called to serve and to love the people who live in the communities wherever I end up next.
Second – integrity. To me, integrity means being the same person on the inside as we are on the outside. Doing what we say. Practising what we preach. Putting our money where our mouth is etc. Wherever I end up, it’s important that I act with integrity and earn people’s trust.
Third (though also first) – faith. As the saying goes; I may not know the future, but I know who holds the future. My job is integrity, God’s job is guiding me to the right place, just as God guided me here three years ago. So, I have peace as I wait to see what is around the next corner in this adventure.
I do hope you all have a terrific time over the Jubilee – whatever your politics or plans. One thing we can all celebrate is the gift of having been set an example of commitment, service and integrity by our Head of State. May there be more of it!
Every blessing, Kathryn
(30 May 2022)
CHURCH NEWS
There have been a lot of good things coming out of the church in recent months, the main point being that we have six new members on the PCC. Jon Brierley has decided to stand down after eight years as Church Warden, Linda Treacy and Tricia have also decided to retire from the PCC and we thank them for their input over the past years.
The newly formed PCC are going to do their best to keep the church open for today’s villagers and more importantly for future generations, please let me know if you would like to be involved.
A church WhatsApp group has been created which is a fantastic way of communicating within the village to support the requirements of the church. If you would like to be added to this group, please contact Lucy Gow who created the group.
It has been wonderful to see so many new faces in church, the average attendance has increased dramatically and we hope it will continue to do so. We are fortunate to have an organist at this present time so if you enjoy singing, come along and join in. The church held a craft afternoon over Easter which was enjoyed by children, their parents and other villagers. It was a very successful afternoon and we hope to repeat this again in the near future.
An art exhibition, organised by the Local History Society was held in the church on 7th June, and there were in excess of a hundred visitors. It is wonderful to see the church being used in this way, if anyone has any similar ideas in how the church could be used, please let the PCC know.
The PCC have discussed the possibility of reforming the Fund Raising Committee which ceased approximately ten years ago, this would be a huge financial benefit to the church so if you would be interested in joining this group, please let the PCC know, we really do need your help!
We all know about the disaster currently affecting Ukraine and to support this, the church has been opened daily to provide a quiet place for people to pray and reflect. Kathryn who has been training with Andrea over the last three years has successfully completed her training and is looking for her own Parish to manage. She will be greatly missed by the congregation and we wish her every success in her new role.
If you wish to help with the church in any way, please contact me on email.
Philip Grant
30 May 2022
Dedicated to St Andrew, the parish church is one of six within the Spencer Benefice of the Diocese of Peterborough. Built in the 
12th/13thcentury the only original parts of the building remaining are the base of the tower and parts of the nave. The remainder of the nave and the upper parts of the tower were built in the later part of the 18th century. A ring of 6 bells was given in 1777 by the patron of the time ~ William Lucas Rose ~ who also paid for their installation and the building work. In 1779 he also gave a gift of communion vessels which are still in use today.
Considerable restoration work was carried out in 1878/9 when the chancel was reconstructed and the vestry and organ aisles added. Most of the existing windows were also restored. The tower and nave roofs were restored in 1957/8.
The east window contains the only stained glass in the building – the subject is Christ’s Crucifixion and dates from 1878. It is believed to be the work of Burlerison and Gryll – the purple/blue colouring being typical of their work and the stained glass designs used based on those of Germany and the Netherlands around 1500.
The Reredos behind the altar is a picture in mosaic depicting the Last Supper – a copy of the painting by Leonardo da Vinci, with the inscription beneath “Do this in remembrance of me”. The mosaic continues on either side depicting on one side ears of wheat, and on the other a grapevine.
The church clock is unusual as it was originally a one handed clock divided into ¼ hours and therefore does not have 60 minutes.
The church is surrounded by a churchyard of 0.649 acres with lovely country views looking eastwards. The earliest known gravestone is that of Thomas Embry Woolwinder who died in 1687.
In April 1994 the 6 bells and the frame were removed. The bells were taken to Whitechapel foundry in London, recast, and 2 new bells added to make a ring of 8.Tenor weight 13-1-5.
All the bells have inscriptions on them. The treble having “The Rose Bell, in memory of William Lucas Rose who gave the original six bells in 1777”. The new bells were rung for the first time on August 13th for a village wedding and were dedicated by the Bishop of Peterborough at a special service on September 29th1994.
The Bellringers practise on Monday evenings 7.45 to 9.00 pm. Anyone from 10 years can learn to ring – contact Justin Baker on 01327 844263 (e-mail) or Janet Bowers on 01327 842851 (email).
Visiting bands of ringers please contact the tower correspondent Janet on 01327 842851 (email).
St Andrew's is a small church with a friendly atmosphere which welcomes you to any of the services.
Special services include Pet Blessing, Christingle and others which rotate around the Benefice.