Today, Sunday 17th November, is Safeguarding Sunday. In the light of the week that has just past for the Church of England, it feels particularly appropriate to highlight the special nature of today and to assure all of the seriousness we attach to safeguarding in the Ross Parishes.
A statement from The Rt Revd Richard Jackson, Bishop of Hereford following the publication of the Makin report and the resignation of the Archbishop of Canterbury:
In response to the release of the Makin Report last week, I along with many church leaders’ and others read the report in horror. I am ashamed and deeply saddened that the Church of England failed the victims, despite the bravery of those who tried to speak out about their abhorrent experiences at the hands of the late John Smyth.
The abuse that took place is quite simply inexcusable. It is a matter of deepest regret that Smyth might have been brought to justice had appropriate, timely action been taken. I continue to hold in prayer all who have experienced abuse, sexual assault or violence of any kind. The report rightly asks us some challenging questions. I hope that we will embrace the report’s recommendations in full and learn the lessons. Safeguarding must be everyone’s responsibility in the Church.
That is why I continue to pledge that the Diocese of Hereford will always take safeguarding extremely seriously, we will listen to you, believe you, and ensure that you are supported, if you raise a concern with us. My focus as the diocesan bishop remains making our churches safe and welcoming spaces for all.
The resignation of Archbishop Justin was a matter of conscience. This is the case for anyone in public life or in a leadership role. I hope that his stepping aside will allow us to refocus our attention on the support of survivors and victims of abuse and our continuing determination to foster a safe church for everyone.
I continue to pray for all affected by this report and for the wider church.
Finding Support
If you or anyone you are in contact with are affected by the publication of this report and want to talk to someone independently please call the Safe Spaces helpline on 0300 303 1056 or visitsafespacesenglandandwales.org.uk.
Alternatively, you may wish to contact the diocesan safeguarding team:safeguarding@hereford.anglican.org or telephone Carl Steventon on 07593817717
Judith Wiggins is our Safeguarding officer in The Ross Parishes and be contacted here
In case you missed Remembrance Sunday on The Prospect and in St Mary’s yesterday, there’s another chance this morning at the Market House this morning (Monday 11th November) at 10.50am.
Join us in St Mary’s this afternoon (Saturday 9th November) at 5pm, as we bring our JK300 commemoration to a close with a special period evensong, sung by our occasional choir Round Byrd
ROSS REMEMBERS – this weekend. Join us, in St Mary’s, for the final JK300 event on Saturday 9th November at 5.00pm when we have a special short service to commemorate The Man of Ross. We’ll be saying special prayers and laying a floral tribute on his tombstone. More at https://rossparishes.uk/round-byrd. Prior to this the Market House will be officially reopened in town.
Then on Sunday it’s Remembrance, with the usual ceremony on the Prospect, from 10.50am followed by a service in St Mary’s.
The two performances of John Kyrle: The Musical take place this weekend (Friday 18th & Saturday 19th October – 7.30pm, both at John Kyrle High School. This is a whole community production, mainly the work of students from across Ross’s schools with several members of St Mary’s Youth Choir are taking part.
The work has been written by Sammy Martin, with gaps for student contribution, both in terms of scenes and music.
All-in-all, a not to be missed experience. Tickets are just £10 (free if you’re 16 or younger).
Our next JK300 event takes place in St Mary’s on Saturday (12th October) when most of the main Ross based choirs come together for a Gala Concert. The evening ends with a specially commissioned piece by local composer, Eleanor Kercher.
Faith@Five – Faith and History in the Early Church
The documents that make up the New Testament are the results of an explosion. Appearing over a period of about fifty years between 70 and 120 CE, they contain within them traces of what that explosion was. But these traces are fragmentary, and the evidence they yield requires the most careful and painstaking work to reconstruct.
This sixth and final session of Faith@Five will seek to examine some of the evidence for Jesus that is contained in the New Testament writings. It will also look at the forms into which the story of Jesus was shaped by the early Christian authors who set down their individual reactions to the explosion Jesus caused. Do these Christian documents allow us actually to glimpse Jesus himself, who he was and what he did?
Come and find out in St Mary’s at 5.00pm next Sunday, 6 October. When David will spend an hour looking and learning, and end with Evening Prayer at 6.00pm.
Come and help celebrate this Sunday as six of our young people, Monty, Bronte, Amelia, Isabelle, Paisley and Gabriella and two adults, Jerry and Kay are confirmed by Bishop Richard. Please keep them in your prayers.
They would love to have you present to support and celebrate this important step with them. And they invite you for delicious confirmation cakes after the service!
St Mary’s, 9.30am All Age Confirmation and Communion for all the Ross Parishes together.
Here is this week’s newsletter and more, from St Mary’s.
We’re looking forward to Harvest Festival tomorrow (Sunday 29th September). This year, our Harvest Service will be an all age service for all the churches in the Ross Parishes and will take place at Walford Church, at 9.30am. Parking is available in the church field next to the church. (There’s no 9.30 service in Ross).
If you live in Ross or Brampton Abbotts and need transport to Walford, please let us know and we will organise it for you.
Then at 1.00am we’re having a bring and share Harvest Lunch in St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye.Please book a free place so we can monitor (and if necessarily, limit) places. Please book early to avoid disappointment. Please bring along some food to share with others, there is no charge.
If you’d like to give a harvest gift, which will again be given to the community larder, please bring it along to the lunch in St Mary’s rather than the service in Walford.
Faith@Five – Faith and History in the Early Church
The documents that make up the New Testament are the results of an explosion. Appearing over a period of about fifty years between 70 and 120 CE, they contain within them traces of what that explosion was. But these traces are fragmentary, and the evidence they yield requires the most careful and painstaking work to reconstruct.
This sixth and final session of Faith@Five will seek to examine some of the evidence for Jesus that is contained in the New Testament writings. It will also look at the forms into which the story of Jesus was shaped by the early Christian authors who set down their individual reactions to the explosion Jesus caused. Do these Christian documents allow us actually to glimpse Jesus himself, who he was and what he did?
Come and find out in St Mary’s at 5.00pm next Sunday, 6 October. When David will spend an hour looking and learning, and end with Evening Prayer at 6.00pm.
We are delighted, though not surprised, that Wonderful Walford School has been judged as OUTSTANDING in their recent Ofsted report. They said, ‘The moment you step over the threshold at Walford Primary School, you know this is a school that values education.’
We offer Louise George, the pupils, staff and governors hearty congratulations from the Ross Parishes. We have a great relationship with you all and are proud of that.
We’re just worried that “Wonderful Walford” becoming “Outstanding Walford” will spoil the alliteration.
You can read Miss George’s letter to the parents here.
Ross Civic Society has a talk by Phil Downing, the excellent and engaging manager of Harvington Hall on the subject of priest holes (there are many at Harvington and he’s spent a few days in some of them).
The talk begins at 7.30 at the Larruperz Centre, on Wednesday 11th September. Non members can come along for £5, or join for even better value – £25 for the year.
Join us this evening (Sunday 8th September) for a special h.Art shaped Songs of Praise. The music has been chosen by the artists who will speak about them and about their work.
The service starts at 5.30, but come earlier to enjoy tea and cake.
We’re looking forward to Harvest. This year, our Harvest Service will be an all age service for all the churches in the Ross Parishes and will take place at Walford Church, at 9.30am on Sunday 29th September. (There will be no 9.30 service in Ross that day).
If you live in Ross or Brampton Abbotts and need transport to Walford, please let us know and we will organise it for you.
Then at 1.00am we’re having a bring and share Harvest Lunch in St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye.Please book a free place so we can monitor (and if necessarily, limit) places. Please book early to avoid diappointment. Please bring along some food to share with others, there is no charge.
If you’d like to give a harvest gift, which will again be given to the community larder, please bring it along to the lunch in St Mary’s rather than the service in Walford.
This Sunday (1st September) is the Sunday before schools start back so at the All Age service at St Mary’s at 9.30am we will have a focus on Back to School! and we will be blessing our children and young people and everyone involved with schools as term starts again.
If you are going to nursery, school, college, uni, or work or volunteer in a school,
please bring…
School kit such as backpacks, lunch boxes, pencil cases etc
And… children and young people starting new schools might like to come in uniform to show it off to us all! Staff might like to come in your school clothes!!
A great back to school photo opportunity and a chance for us all to pray for them and wish all our young people and school staff/volunteers well.
There’s still time to reserve your FREE place at the launch reception for John Kyrle 300 in St Mary’s Church, Ross-on-Wye on Saturday 31st August at 7.30pm.
The evening will include a short talk on the Poet Alexander Pope and John Kyrle as well as the premiere of Ian Lewis’s new film “Echoes of Kyrle”.
St Mary’s Choir is singing services this weekend (17th & 18th August) at Bath Abbey. It’s great to have a few supporters along with us once more. You can join us online for Sunday’s Eucharist (11.30am) or Evensong (3.30pm) here.
We’ve decided that Faith @ Five, due to be taking place in St Mary’s on Sunday (18th), would be better moved to another day. New date to be published soon.
It’s the first Wednesday of the month again which means the next FREE lunchtime concert is on at St Mary’s Church, starting at 1.00pm, but feel free to come along (with your lunch if you wish) when you’re ready.
Today (Wednesday 7th August) we welcome back Jill Crossland for a piano recital featuring Bach, Beethoven and Chopin. A concert lasting about 45 minutes.
If you can’t afford the time, why not bring your work along – tables and Wi-Fi provided.
A reminder that there’s a special service for the Feast of the Transfiguration this evening (Tuesday 6th August), at 6pm in Walford Church. The service will be led by Dr John Davies and members of St Mary’s Choir. Wine and nibbles will follow the service.
