The Link Magazine

OFFTON CHURCH NEWS

With Spring here at last, the PCC has once again reviewed what has been going on in the church and planned for the near future. The PCC is a small band of volunteers who give some of their free time to running the church and its events. If you could spare an occasional hour or two to help, and might like to join the PCC, please contact one of the following:

Ian Dickson       01473 658637

Paul & Anne Chapman   01449 721181

Mike Bolton       01473 658304

Peta Whiting       01449 677766

You will be made very welcome.

Planning has had to cover the difficult period during the on-going ‘inter-regnum’ – the period when we do not have a resident priest. The departure of Rev Linden Fletcher to North Wales was fully reported in last month’s Link.

Comfortable Seating

Anyone who sits on hard wooden seats for a long time, particularly those who have ‘passed their prime’ will know that the seat can become uncomfortable. It can also be a little cold during winter months. To rectify this situation, the PCC has embarked on a plan to provide long tailored cushions from charitable donations made for that purpose. Already, four people have donated a cushion at a cost of just £49 each. The church also gains by reclaiming tax through the government’s Gift Aid scheme. If you would be prepared to sponsor another cushion, please contact Ian Dickson or any of the other PCC members. Your charity will be much appreciated here in Offton, and who knows elsewhere! You will have the benefit of actually seeing where your donation went, and using what it produces if you come to the church.

Recent Events

The World Community for Christian Meditation (WCCM) meetings, which were held each Monday evening through Lent, were enjoyed by all those who attended. A cosy area in the rear of the church was beautifully lit with candles for the purpose, and the atmosphere reflected the needs of meditation.

By the time this magazine is distributed, two cultural and fun events will have taken place that will be mentioned in next month’s Link: the final Magical Musical Moments (MMM) concert for this winter season held on 8 March, and the Spring Quiz held on 29 March. Also, the Easter services will be reviewed.

Future Events

On Sunday 13 April, the annual Festival of Talents will be held in Offton Church at 4.00 pm. This is organised by Mr Scott Dolling, and is always a hugely enjoyable occasion. The event features people in the village playing musical instruments, reciting poems, recollecting special moments, trying stand-up comedy etc. So if you would like to join the fun, please contact Scott on 01449 722663. As with most things, the more you put in – the more you get out.

If you like church bells then do not miss the Family Bells Service to be held in the church on Sunday 18 May at 10.00 am. Offton has a full set of 8 bells which is unusual for a small country church, and a very enthusiastic group of bell ringers led by Mr Brian Whiting. This service is to commemorate the 25 th anniversary of the commissioning of bells 7 and 8. There will be the glorious sounds of various peels, and you can watch it all happening. Please note this in your diary now, and bring the family to enjoy what will be an unusual service.

Another date for your diary is the annual Village Fete which will be held in the churchyard on Saturday 7 June. All the usual fete fun events will be there to enjoy including games, food and drink, tombola, raffle, bric-a-brac, live brass band music etc, but please remember, this is a money raising event for the church, so do not forget your purse as well.

Church Fact File

Observant visitors to St Mary’s, Offton will note that the church features a holy water stoup. A holy water stoup is a bowl, normally set in the wall close to each entrance to a Catholic church. It is filled with holy water, enabling those entering or leaving the church to make the sign of the cross as a way of affirming their baptism. This one, featuring a triangular hood, is pictured below. It is set into the wall inside the church to the right of the main south entrance door as you pass through; however, the PCC no longer fills it with water.

All medieval churches had holy water stoups, but they were either destroyed or filled in during the Reformation. Back in the 1540s, Anglican reformers destroyed most of what was called ‘superstitious imagery’ in Suffolk's parish churches. This included the removal of stained glass windows, statues, pictures of saints, crosses, altars, roods etc as well as holy water stoops. A hundred years later, Parliament ordered an inspection of all parish churches to ensure that the ‘superstitious imagery’ removal programme had been completed. A man called William Dowsing was appointed to carry out this inspection in Suffolk. Dowsing is recorded as a ‘biblical fundamentalist filled with religious zeal’. During his visit to Offton in 1644 he gave strict orders for the stoup to be removed. Records do not confirm whether the stoup was actually removed and later re-installed, or simply blocked-up and later uncovered on its discovery during the Victorian period. However, looking at the stoop now might indicate the former as it is not set completely flush or square with the surrounding plasterwork.

Religious historians have classed Offton’s holy water stoup as one of the finest surviving medieval examples in England. Come and see for yourself – please.