As we predicted in the last magazine, September has been a busy month at Saint Mary’s. It has seen the return of familiar things after the summer break – Charity Lunch, Melody Tots, Fellowship etc, as well as the start of the season for the Royal Marines School of Music concerts.
In addition to this, the month started with the Ride and Stride Day. The Tower was open for visitors and a number of people climbed and enjoyed the view on a very clear day. In the Church there was a Nearly New Sale – and thanks to Shirley and her team and those who helped with the Tower over £200 was raised. The next day we held the Bar B Q lunch for the Parish and despite the blustery conditions, many stayed and enjoyed chatting and sharing the meal – thanks to Vida, Sonya and Eve for braving the windy conditions (most of those eating stayed in the Hall!).
The wind was still quite strong when Father Bob, Father Darcy, Pip and Catherine (Newnham) set out on the sponsored Bike Ride …a new route this year swinging North from Saint Wilfrid’s to Saint Alban’s, then along Powerscourt Road meant that they very quickly clocked up 7 of the 15 churches they had to visit – before they headed out to All Saints. They managed in just about the hour to visit all the Cluster Churches (including the Cathedral) and a few others along the way. Thank you to all who sponsored them – over £275 was raised.
The next Sunday saw Fratton Road (South) closed as the whole community enjoyed the 3 rd Fratton Family Festival. As in the previous events, Saint Mary’s hosted a ‘sacred space’ with activities for people to pause and reflect and leave prayers. Thank you to Rose and Ian Prince for arranging this and ensuring that we were very much a part of the local community as it celebrated its life. The month ended with the Harvest celebrations. On the Saturday Churches Homeless Action hosted a morning looking at how we reach those on the margins. We welcomed a large number of people (with cake!) from a cross section of agencies, churches, politicians and others. Both our city MPs were there, as well as several Councillors. Saint Simon’s and Saint Jude’s Churches were there to explain the trial scheme they are co-ordinating for a night shelter for 10 people in the coldest part of the winter. There will be further details of how we can support them later in the year.
The next day was the Harvest Festival and the morning celebrations helped us to focus on the theme ‘Bearing Gifts’ and we collected both food and donations to support the Roberts Centre. In the evening we were joined by Mel from the Roberts Centre who talked a little more about Robert Bear and his books – to help children they support in understanding some of the situations they face. The evening ended with Robert Bear, himself, making an appearance and we were able to tell him we had, as a Parish, collected over £300 to fund his books and bears. The Supper was a great gathering – over 75 people – and thanks to Rosie and the team PORTSEA PARISH NEWS 7 who helped to set it up and serve the food. We want to particularly thank Jean Godfrey, who, after many years of co-ordinating (and worrying about) the Supper, had asked if she could have a well-deserved rest. We all want to thank Jean for her care and her work over those years for the Harvest Supper. The evening ended in ‘traditional’ fashion with the entertainment. This year, like all others, was a wonderful mix of styles and content. Marie and her backing Group (Rose Prince, Jackie Moore, Jilly Owens and Helen Evans) sang as Marie played the Uke, a great first public performance and we look forward to more. There was music from Jack, Grant, Maggie, Frances and Brian and readings from Janice and Alison. Ian re-introduced us to the world of Donald (you had to be there to understand!) and then there was the finale ….
As a tribute to Robert Bear, the Ministry Team embarked upon a bear themed interlude. Canon Bruce took us on a picnic (with some very playful and naughty teddy bears); Jenny led the whole audience in a poem (accompanied by Brian on drum); Father Darcy became Winnie the Pooh; Revd Sue serenaded her ‘Pompey Bear’ and Revd Barbara (accompanied on the saxophone by Frances) explained the bear necessities. The interlude concluded with an Elvis Bear crooning and looking strangely like Father Bob in a wig and mask! The whole supper ended, with thanks to Brian Moles for his versatility and willingness to seek to turn this into a musical performance, and a singing of Father Bob and the amazing Robert Bear. Thank you to all who contributed, to all who donated food and money and to Mel and Robert Bear for joining us.