Reports
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November 2013
Remembrance Sunday
Picture, Dymock's War Memorial
Sunday November 10th was the national Remembrance Day this year, being the Sunday nearest the 11th November when the 'armistice' was signed that marked the end of the First World War. (Return to top)

Our Service to remember all those who have given their life in the service of their country followed the traditional format beginning in the church then going out to the war memorial on the village green in front of the church, where the names of those who died in the villages of Dymock, Donnington and Kempley were read aloud before two minutes silence was observed to remember them. The hymns included 'O God our Help in Ages Past' and 'O Valiant Hearts' and the choir sang the anthem 'Remember Me' by Bob Chilcott. (Return to top)

Wreathes were then laid at the war memorial on behalf of the church management council (PCC), the Dymock Parish Council and the Friends of the Dymock Poets as well as some remembrance crosses laid by private individuals. (Return to top)
Remembrance Concert
Picture, United Choir
Friday November 8th saw our now annual Remembrance event. This year some 65 people gathered in Dymock church to hear a programme of readings given by members of the parish and remembrance songs from an enhanced church choir, plus a violin solo by a talented young female violinist. (Return to top)

The programme began with the hymn 'I vow to thee my country' and ended with 'O Valiant Hearts' for everyone to join in. Of the five poignant readings, one was 'The Conscript' by Wilfred Gibson, one of the 'Dymock Poets' and one called 'Five Souls' by W.N. Ewer, purporting to be from an ordinary soldier from each of the main countries involved in the World Wars, each stanza ending with the same suggestion that they knew they were fighting for freedom because their superiors had told them so. (Return to top)

The music included two solos by the 'Young Voices' - the junior section of our choir, and a couple of solos by individual members of the Young Singers which included Pie Jesu by Philip Ledger. The violin solo by Jay Ungar was the haunting Ashokan Farewell, and our Rector gave some appropriate prayers and the final blessing. (Return to top)
Chapel 40th Anniversary
Picture, Chapel Celebration
Western Way (free) Chapel has existed for nearly 100 years, beginning originally in Ross-on-Wye before moving to a tin 'mission hut' in Dymock. On 3rd November they celebrated the 40th anniversary of their present building in Dymock which was converted from the old goods shed when the Railway line was closed. in the 1960s. We share our young persons group 'Pilgrims' with them, plus a once a fortnight Shared Lunch followed by a Bible Study, so were pleased to join in their celebration of the anniversary. (Return to top)

A large group gathered in the Chapel to share a fine afternoon tea, followed by a short Epilogue given by one of the original building Trustees, and a display of pictures from their archives showing the conversion of the building, Chapel life through the 40 years, plus several short videos taken of more recently activities. (Return to top)

We congratulate them on the work they've done over those years and look forward to another 40! (Return to top)
Confirmation Service
Picture, Candidates with Bishop
Most years we are able to hold a Confirmation Service in the Benefice, when parishioners are able to confirm their vows to follow Jesus Christ which were taken for them as a child at their baptism, and this year was no exception. Members of all the Benefice churches met together with Bishop Michael in Redmarley Parish Church on the morning of Sunday 3rd November. (Return to top)

Three people were confirmed this year, two young persons and an adult. After the laying on of hands by the Bishop, they were able to receive communion along with everyone else present. Again the united choirs led the singing in the Service and delivered two anthems from the back of the church whilst we all went forward to the altar to receive the bread and wine that remind us of the body and blood of Jesus, as he directed us to do at his last meal with his followers before he was crucified. (Return to top)

We were able for the first time to share tea and coffee together more easily after the Service in the new space created at the rear of Redmarley church following the removal of a few pews for that purpose. (Return to top)
All Souls Service
Picture, Book of Remembrance
Every year on the Saturday nearest the 2nd November - 'All Souls Day' - we invite people who have lost loved ones over recent years to come back to Dymock or Redmarley Church for a Service of Remembrance and Commemoration. This year, as the Bishop was with us for the weekend (see report below), there was only one Service for the entire Benefice which was held in Dymock Church on the afternoon of the actual day, Saturday 2nd November. As there was only the one Service, the church was full with both the Dymock and Redmarley 'Book of Remembrance' placed in their cases in front of the altar table. (Return to top)

The Service followed the usual format with reflective hymns, Bible readings and prayer, except this year the Sermon was given by the Bishop after which, during a time of quiet singing by the united church choirs, people were invited to bring up a slip of paper on which they had written the name(s) of their loved one(s) and place it in a bowl on the altar and light and place a candle on a side table as an act of remembrance. (Return to top)

Afterwards, tea and coffee was served in the North Transept to enable people to have a time of fellowship together and with the Bishop. (Return to top)
Bishop's Pastoral Visit
Picture, Bishop Michael
Bishop Michael of Gloucester has been working his way around the diocese visiting each Benefice in turn over a weekend, giving pastoral care and training, and it was our Benefice's turn the first weekend of November. It began on the Friday evening with a full dinner together in Broomesgreen Memorial Hall comprising beef or chicken casserole, jacket potato and salad, followed by fruit pie and cream, then cheese and biscuits. After this, the Bishop spoke about 'The Story' of Holy Communion - in other words the structure of the Service and why we do what we do. The evening finished at 9:15 with us saying together the short Service of Compline (Night Prayer). More details of the Bishop's talks will follow shortly - watch out for them! (Return to top)

Saturday began with Morning Prayer at Oxenhall Church, followed by Breakfast in their Village Hall of fruit juice and bacon rolls. (We didn't have a Men's Breakfast in Dymock this month as the Bishop's breakfast for all replaced it). The Bishop then talked about 'The Words' and format of the Holy Commnion Service, explaining why the different parts are where they are, how that's changed over the centuries, and what it all means. After a coffee break, he spoke about 'The Music', encouraging us to sing parts of the Service that really need it, even if there's no accompanist present - the 'Gloria', and 'Sanctus' being obvious examples - and practiced with us examples of how this can be easily achieved. (Return to top)

He finished with a brief explanation of 'The Movement' explaining how in the 16th century when the old Book of Common Prayer was written, non-confirmed persons would be asked to leave after the first part of the Service (hearing 'The Word of God') before those remaining to take Communion would be exhorted to 'Draw near with faith' and literally move forward into the chancel of the church to gather round the altar. We then moved back into Oxenhall Church where the Bishop presided over a Service of Holy Communion in which we out into practice all that we'd learnt. (Return to top)

Many of those who'd attended then went on to the Beauchamp Arms Pub in Dymock to share a buffet lunch together before we gathered in Dymock Church for the annual 'All Souls' Service to remember and commemorate our departed loved ones, at which this year the Bishop preached (see report above). (Return to top)