Government does not provide any funding, except for a tax claw back on ‘Gift Aid’ donations which is available to all qualifying charities. Therefore, we stand entirely alone and keep our fingers crossed that major repair work is not required too often.
We have a Rector rather than a Vicar, as the freeholds are vested in the Rector and the Parochial Church Council (PCC). Members are all local people and have the responsibilities of any freeholder. The Rector, more commonly known as the Parish Priest, is accessible to every villager on a one-to-one basis or as a couple or group. Part of his function is to offer help and guidance in any way he feels able.
Our Church is open on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays between about 10am - 4pm and for services on Sundays. If you haven't visited the Church for some time (or ever) you are welcome to go in and look around or just enjoy its peace. Take a walk around the grounds, study the gravestones, pull a weed or two, or just sit and ponder.
Sunday services are open to everyone whether or not they join in or simply quietly observe. Services conform to a pattern but you will find the Rector's sermons down to earth, usually with a topical flavour and always interesting and good to listen to. For families we have a short service on the first Sunday of each month (apart from August and January) starting at 11am. They are noisy and fun and mainly run by the parents with the assistance and musical accompaniment of the children - see the village notices for details.
On Sunday 22nd. April 2007 we held a special "All-comers Village Service" - not too long and fairly informal. There were some traditional hymns most of us knew and love, a cup that cheers and a chat afterwards- a village community event which proved to be a great success.
We hope you have enjoyed reading this. In the following pages we plan to cover the Church's history, as well as our present and future plans . But please remember, Odcombe Church is not a closed or secretive, exclusive sect; it's 'your' Church - it's 'our' Church.
If you have any questions or queries about anything written here or would like to speak to John Jenkins our Rector, just pick up the phone - Tel: 863034 or, on occasions he is found in the Mason's Arms and is always good for a chat!
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