Prestbury Parish Magazine

Sharing in Worship

‘What’s it like coming back after your sabbatical?’ is a question I have been asked a number of times in these first few days back at work. If I am totally honest it is a little bit scary! Of course it is good to catch up with people again, to hear what they have been doing and to tell them something about my experiences. The sabbatical time has been really rich and rewarding in so many ways and there will be opportunities in sermons and in other editions of the magazine to tell you about it.

The return to work feels scary partly because I know how much I have ‘wound down’. I have adjusted to a very different pace of life and know that I am going to have to bring myself up to speed if I am going to keep up; at the moment I feel as though I am running after a departing bus! I am also aware that I have a four-month-sized ‘hole’ because I do not know what has been happening in the parishes or in people’s lives. Plans have been made and decisions taken that I am only just finding out about. I am having to realise that, of course, everything has not stopped whilst I have been away! The other slightly scary aspect of returning to duty is that I know that more change is on the horizon as we prepare for Fr Stephen’s retirement and look towards working with some of our neighbouring parishes in an expanded team in the new North Cheltenham Mission Area.

So how do I cope with the transition from sabbatical back into work? Firstly by not panicking! By accepting that I cannot fill the four month ‘hole’ in a couple of days and that people will be talking about things that I know nothing about. Also, by avoiding the temptation to jump in and start interfering where other people have been doing an excellent job in my absence! But the thing that I realise that I must make my priority is perhaps the most obvious. I must re-immerse myself in the round of daily prayer and worship. Not that I have not been doing that during the sabbatical, but it has often been on my own and the great blessing is that most days, somewhere in our Team Ministry, there is the opportunity to meet with other people for worship – the task for which we were made by God. During these past few months I have been made even more aware of the significance of that continuing daily round of prayer which must enfold and underpin the whole life of our Christian Community. Whatever differences we might have, whatever the future might hold, our work of prayer and worship must remain central to all that we are and to all that we do.

Fr Michael

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‘Our Voice’ Premiere Night

Saturday 9 September 7.30pm St Nicolas’ Church

Young people from Prestbury & Pittville Youth groups have been producing a film entitled ‘Our Voice’. The idea is for young people to have a voice – this involves retelling parts of the Bible in contemporary ways, recording activities they are in to and voicing their views on key issues.

The resulting film will be screened on Saturday 9 September at St Nicolas’ Church from 7.30pm. It will have an ‘Oscars’ theme – so lots of posh frocks (and suits) and plenty of awards. All are invited to attend what promises to be a fantastic night, tickets are £3 adults, £1.50 concessions, £7 families. DVDs (including out takes) will be on sale too! Proceeds go to Prestbury & Pittville Youth. Please support the youth work and engage with what the young people have to say.

For more info contact Andy Macauly

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Regular Youth Group Dates

Elevate and Synergy restart on Sunday 3 September;

The Lounge restarts on Tuesday 5 September;

The Space restarts on Thursday 7 September

For more info: contact Andy Macauly

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Youth Celebration Service –  1 October

Do join us for a special service at 6.30pm on Sunday 1 October at St Nicolas’ to celebrate the wonderful work that is done in our parishes for young people and by young people, particularly through Prestbury & Pittville Youth. The service will be led by Bishop Michael along with some of our young worship leaders and musicians and promises to be both a wonderful occasion and a great time to thank God for all the different ministries that he has called people to. We think especially of Andy and Sharon Macauly and all the volunteers they lead but increasingly now also of many of our young people themselves who are responding to God’s call to serve one another and the wider parishes.

Fr Grant

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Wake up – it’s 8:32

Time to set the Truth free

John 8:32… ‘You will know the truth and the truth will set you free.’

‘It’s 8:32’ is a Bible Society campaign, calling for Christians to ‘wake up’ to the scandal of Bible poverty around the world – and to take action to make this poverty history…

It is an integral part of Bible Society’s mission to take God’s life-transforming message to all people across the world in their heart languages, and in formats which are relevant and accessible to them.

Here are some facts…

• More than half of the world’s 6,900 languages are without a single book of the Bible.
• One billion people are unable to read, but only 208 languages (3%) have the New Testament in audio.
• Every 5 seconds, someone goes blind – but the Bible in Braille exists in only 30 languages.
• A billion people live on less than 60p a day, making the Bible a luxury they can’t afford.
• Sixty per cent of people in the UK believe the Bible is irrelevant to them. Bible ownership is down by a quarter in just 50 years.

The challenge to Prestbury

The 8:32 campaign calls on churches to fight Bible poverty, and to make this mission a priority. And for us in Prestbury, it offers an opportunity to be actively involved in taking the Bible message to others – so that they, too, are able to experience the life-changing power of God’s Word.

This autumn we will be inviting a Bible Society representative to speak with our congregations, and to highlight the reality of Bible poverty in our world today. And our response will have powerful consequences for Bible work – for instance:

• A GIFT of any amount is valuable in helping reach those living in Bible poverty.
• We can PRAY for all those who are without the Bible, and who want and need God in their lives.

Please keep this campaign in your prayers over the coming weeks.

For further details see     www.biblesociety.org.uk     

Thank you.

Caroline Sexton

8:32 in Prestbury & All Saints’

Here in Prestbury & All Saints’ we shall not only be encouraging the congregations to help combat ‘Bible poverty’ around the world but also to think more about our own attitudes to the Bible and how we might read it, pray it and live it better.

There will be specific things in services, such as readings in foreign languages and a sermon series, but also particular events focusing on the Bible, such as Education on Location, the Quiet Day and a weekly Bible Study on the book of Ruth running through November.

Alongside all this we also hope to hear from you about particular passages from Scripture that have moved you or played a big role in your own life, some of which we will share in future magazines and on the website.

The Sunday themes are as follows:-

Fr Grant

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Education on Location

This year’s Education on Location sessions will be held on three Thursdays:

21 September at All Saints’
  5 October at St Mary’s
19 October  at St Nicolas’

We will be using a video presentation on the letter of St Paul to the Philippians, produced for the Caister Retreat of 2005 by Sister Margaret Magdalen of the Community of St Mary the Virgin.

Each session will begin at 7.45pm and follow the usual format of presentation, break for refreshments, group discussion and closing prayers.

Should the current building disruption make it impractical to use All Saints’ for the first session, notice will be given via the weekly pew-sheets.

There is no charge for this series of events.

Jen Swinbank

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Do You Know?

Do you know how the Finances of a Parish work? I certainly did not know at all until I was asked to join the Parish Events Committee. This led unexpectedly to a place on the PCC, and that to becoming a PCC representative on the Fabric committee. Since I collated the current guidebook for St Mary’s church that seemed reasonable enough.

At that point realisation began. I had assumed, having been part of the Stewardship method of giving money to the Church, that this covered all. It probably did 30+ years ago but not any more – not by a long way.

Our treasurer has never failed to send a cheque for our ‘parish quota’ contribution each month – not all parishes do – but it is the honourable thing because it provides us with clergy in the Church of England and makes their life financially tolerable.

But, and the but is getting bigger rapidly, without our ‘Parish Events’ money raised in such an ad hoc fashion we would find it very difficult to pay the essential bills, for example the gas, electricity and insurance, and vital repairs to keep our two churches waterproof and safe to sit in. St Mary’s and St Nicolas’ both have big bills looming this year and things are genuinely looking a bit frightening.

We have asked for fresh ideas and support for Parish Events. The response has been one person from St Nicolas’, who has always helped in the church anyway.

We are very earnestly asking for new support for fund raising in every way. If you want the use of a warm, dry, safe church with support from a team of clergy for both parish and our church schools, do take this request seriously and start thinking if you could possibly help, even in a small way.

Lynda Hodges
on behalf of the Parish Events Committee

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Prestbury Hall Garden Opening

As you may know the church hall has now become Prestbury Hall. This change is to enable the trustees to apply for grants as a community hall. The trustees are Dr Bob Lyle, John Petchey, Richard Mason, Linda Dove and myself, Cyril Beer.

Prestbury Playmates, run by Linda, uses the hall daily. She applied for, and obtained, a grant to improve the grounds at the side and rear of the hall.

Steve Wilson, a garden designer, offered his services free of charge to design the layout of the garden. John Petchey was project leader for the construction of the garden. He not only coordinated the work but also did most of it, with the assistance of Andy Macauly’s Team from Pittville School and a team of youngsters from Trinity Church. Maurice Newman added his expertise in helping with the construction of the rear fence. The parents of the Playmates carried out the planting of the garden with some assistance from the children. This was under the careful guidance of Steve and his wife Diane.

The area was transformed from a derelict dump to a delightful and safe garden. Premiere Products kindly donated a climbing frame to add to the facilities.

The garden was opened and blessed by Father Stephen on Friday 21 July. The many people involved in the transformation enjoyed refreshments, supplied by Linda and friends.

Cyril Beer

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Walter Golden Wedding Celebration 1956-2006

No couple could have hoped to have celebrated their Golden Wedding in a pleasanter place than Prestbury, first with a Thanksgiving Service in its ancient St Mary’s Church at 3.30pm on 28 May, thanks to Father Stephen, the Service sheet, another masterpiece by Kay Porter; followed by a sumptuous tea, brilliantly organised by our Churchwarden, Marion Beagley, and her generous lady helpers, mainly for our many kind, local friends.

A month later, on 25 June, a lovely summer day, the nearby Hotel de la Bere was a beautiful setting for 12.30 noon drinks in the rose garden, luncheon in the historical Great Hall for relatives – our family safely back from a three-year tour in India – and friends living distances away; the tables adorned with Barbara Lyle’s exquisite floral centre-pieces, and the occasion enlivened by the delightful company, and hilarious pre-Grace anecdote by Father Stephen, and an amusing Toast proposed by Laurie Slade, one-time pupil of Molly’s at Nairobi Primary School, who observed that our real anniversary date in November, when we actually wed in All Saints’ Cathedral, Nairobi, was still to come!

Fortunately it remained fine for tea, wedding cake, Wendy Thomas’ delicious creation, and sparkling wine, in the more modest garden of our home, to where Jerry Porter had kindly transported borrowed Church urn, trestle tables and crockery; and with Shirley Brown, Sue Banks and Val Fagan kindly supervising all the arrangements, the redoubtable Ian Kinnear and Keith Fagan expertly dispensing the bubbly, we were freed to circulate, and chat to all, much to our appreciation.

To discover, when everyone had departed, a treasure trove of donations for Oxford’s Helen and Douglas House Hospice for Young People from our generous guests, requested in lieu of gifts to us, made the day quite perfect; the excellent photographs David Price generously gave us, a wonderful record of it, too, to remind us, for always, of a very special and enjoyable event. Deo gratias.

Molly & Basil Walter

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‘Traidcraft’ Update

It seems an appropriate time to just update everyone on how the ‘Traidcraft’ stalls are progressing since in September the stall at St Nicolas’ will be a year old and the one at St Mary’s, thanks to Sue Weston, will be six months old.

The whole idea came out of one of the Eucharist with a Difference services at St Nicolas’ when we examined the whole concept of trade justice and the suggestion of having a ‘Traidcraft’ stall came up. Everyone agreed it would be a good idea but who would run it? Well, I clearly weakened first! Initially the process of registering as a Fair Trader seemed rather daunting, especially since I was made aware that I could only keep this status if I ordered an average of £50 a month. At the time it seemed like an awful lot of stock but thanks to the support given to both stalls we have certainly managed to achieve this target. I have learned what sells well (stem ginger cookies!) and what does not. Next year I would like to see the stalls make a profit because any profits made do go to the church and in a small way we are helping to make a difference to those in the Third World.

Please remember that if anybody would like us to stock a particular item that is only sold in bulk then we will be happy to order it and see how it goes. Also catalogues are always available and if you order via the church then you can save on the postage and packing. The Christmas catalogues will be arriving soon so please feel free to have a browse and maybe share them with your friends and neighbours. Thank you to everyone who has supported us in this last year.

Janet Waters

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Cricket Match against St Matt’s

After a winter of heart-break in the football, could Prestbury finally achieve sporting success by turning to a small red ball instead? All would be revealed as a glorious summer’s afternoon saw an enthusiastic Prestbury XI take to the field for a 20-20 match against our sporting friends and nemeses from St Matthew’s.

After winning the toss and deciding to bat, Nick Moore and Stephen Murton saw us off to a rapid start with 52 from the first five overs. A fine spell of 1 for 8 from Matt Allison stemmed the flow of runs to give St Matt’s a chance but John Radburn held things together for Prestbury and allowed Steve Hawkins and Tim Buttress to score rapidly with a flurry of sixes before they both retired having reached 25 not out. Even a run out off the last ball couldn’t dampen Prestbury spirits as we reached 156 for 7 from our 20 overs. It looked like a winning total but one couldn’t help eyeing the short boundary on one side rather nervously.

After an enjoyable tea and chance to get to know one another better (many thanks to Shelly for all her hard work!), it was St Matt’s turn to bat. Wickets were hard to come by at first with Al McGonville striking some fine boundaries. However, Prestbury’s opening bowlers kept the run rate down and at the half-way point, St Matt’s needed a mammoth 103 runs to win. As the run rate spiralled up beyond 10 an over, the batsmen had to take chances and our bowlers began to enjoy themselves, spreading the wickets around with Stephen Murton and Fr Grant both taking 2 for 12. However, it was the Prestbury fielding which made the real difference in securing a 28 run victory – all in all a real team effort with lots of sharp work in the outfield, some fine catches, two quick run outs and a splendid display from Pete Sexton behind the stumps.

It was a great day for players and spectators alike with everything played in the best of spirits and Michael Cole did a wonderful job of umpiring in the face of some over-keen lbw appeals from the Prestbury bowlers. (These would probably have been more forgivable had lbws not been ruled out before the match!) Thank you to everyone involved from both sides.

Fr Grant

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Football – North Cheltenham Churches enter the League

Hoping that a change of name may bring a change of fortunes, Prestbury Football Team have transformed over the summer into North Cheltenham Churches to reflect the new era of Team Ministry we are about to enter. A new kit of green and white hoops will complete the new look as we prepare to face the other seven Christian sides that make up the Cotswold Churches League. Last year saw a great team spirit and camaraderie and we’re on the look-out for new players, so if you’d like to join in the fun, do come along to our pre-season training on Wednesday nights at 7pm at the playing field. By one of those coincidences that you can only put down to God’s sense of humour, our first competitive match is against St Matt’s. Hopefully something of the cricketing success may rub off, as last year they beat us 8-2 not once but twice.

New players, contact Andy Macauly. Or if you’re at a loose end, why not come down and cheer us on for our home matches (10.30am kick-off at Prestbury Playing Field)?

Fr Grant

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All Saints’ Bible Study Group

Only twice a month, with a strict one-hour time limit, it seemed an acceptable commitment, so I turned up at All Saints’ church on the second Tuesday in June. Immediately I felt I belonged even though I didn’t know everybody. There have been about ten people each week, though not always the same ten. We have been reading Paul’s letter to the Galatians, using a study guide with thought-provoking questions. Julia and Jennifer are in charge, but different people have taken turns to lead sessions. We are now taking a break so that members can participate in other things, such as the Education on Location, but we hope to resume later in the year.

Frances Murton

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Holiday Worship

I wonder where you went to church while you were on holiday. I didn’t have to go very far at all, didn’t even have to leave the campsite! It was a large site (about 850 pitches) under tall pine trees on the coast of Sardinia. Tucked away in one corner of the site a vacant area had been designated the ‘chapel’, with an altar on a wooden platform under a canopy. On Sunday morning a priest from the church in the nearby small town (or large village) came and celebrated the Eucharist. Seating was bring-your-own or stand throughout, and there were about seventy or eighty people in the congregation both weeks I was there.

It was lovely to take part in the familiar service in that casual outdoor setting. The priest was wearing exactly the same shade of green vestments as our priests here; he performed the same actions, genuflecting in exactly the same way behind the altar, and so on. I don’t understand Italian, and yet I knew exactly what he was saying, such is the universality of the Eucharist.

Frances Murton

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Sidmouth 2007

After a deliberate gap of two years, we have booked another Team-wide weekend at Sidholme in Sidmouth in September 2007. We have the whole hotel to ourselves and can take up to 120 people. We would welcome both previous participants and any new visitors who would like to join us. The weekend will be full of interesting things to take part in or, if you don’t wish to join in, there are lots of interesting things to do in the area under your own steam.

There are en-suite rooms at £110.00 for the weekend and also rooms with shared facilities at £98.00 inclusive. Children under 5 are free; 5-10 years at 75% off the adult fee; 11-15 years at 50% off the adult fee; 16-17 years at 25% off the adult fee. Early booking is advisable as en-suite rooms tend to go quickly. I will organise a coach for those who do not wish to drive and advise of the fare nearer the time. Hope to see lots of you with us as it is a golden opportunity to get to know our church family more and to enjoy fun and fellowship at the sea-side – don’t forget your swimming things as the hotel has its own heated swimming pool!

For further details contact Marion Beagley.

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The Page

What’s happening?

This September sees the return of Celebrate! after the summer break, and also of Fr Michael, refreshed from his sabbatical with, we are sure, a selection of stories of UK saints and shorelines of significance for our Chritsian faith.

Early in the month we’ll be catching up and sharing what we’ve been up to and what God has been doing in us over the summer. On 10 September remember to ask some of your friends and neighbours along – personal recommendation is such an easy, powerful and effective way to give others the chance to join in with the fun, friendship and faith we share week by week at Celebrate!

During the second half of the month, and on into October, our weekly themes will be aspects of the truth about life we find in the bible, unwrapped in a variety of ways to connect with everyone. We aim to both encourage and challenge.

Sue Read

Over to you:-

• Bring some friends and neighbours – to any Celebrate!
• Celebrate! pub night for men to chill and chat – at the Royal Oak from 7.30pm on Mondays 11th September and 16th October.
• Is music your forte? We’d love you to share it with the music group – please have a word with Jerry.
• We are looking to expand our team of terrific welcomers. Could you get to St Mary’s for about 9.20am to give a cheerful greeting to everyone as they arrive? – please chat to Mary if you’re up for this on a periodic basis.
• Watch this space for details of ladies’ nights …
• Want to think more deeply about what we believe? Earmark Thursday evenings for Celebrate! Plus. Also on Thursday 21st September is the first of three churchwide opportunities to discuss some issues raised by a letter of St Paul – see Sue for more about this. (Details also elsewhere in this magazine.)
• Many thanks for the part the Celebrate! tea team played at the church fete – £180 was raised by teas. And over £2000 in total.

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Patronal Festivals

In view of Fr Stephen’s retirement and his ‘last Sunday’ commitments (see below) at the three Team churches, it has been decided that the Patronal Festivals will NOT be joint celebrations this year.

St Mary’s will celebrate the Birth of the BVM on Sunday 10 September at 11.00am. Services in St Nicolas’ and All Saints’ will be at the normal times.

All Saints’ will celebrate their patronal on Sunday 5 November at 10.30am. Services in Prestbury will be at the normal times.

St Nicolas’ will celebrate their patronal on Wednesday 6 December at 7.30pm. There will be no service at St Mary’s that night.

Kay Porter, Team Administrator, Prestbury & All Saints’ Team Ministry

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Dates for your Diary

The Eucharist of Thanksgiving for 38 years of Fr Stephen’s Ministry and 40 years of his and Vicky’s Marriage will be at 11.30am on Saturday 4 November.

Fr Stephen’s last Sunday at All Saints’ will be 5  November, and his last Sunday at St Nicolas’ and St Mary’s will be 12 November.

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Retirement Present for Fr Stephen

Anyone wishing to make a donation towards a retirement present for Fr Stephen please put it in a marked envelope and give it to one of the Churchwardens.

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Christian Aid Middle East Appeal

Thank you to all at St Mary’s and St Nicolas’ who contributed to this appeal via the bucket collections in August. £211.62 was raised.

Paddy Spurgeon & Gill Ashman

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Team Lunches at the Royal Oak

By popular request I have arranged two more lunches at the Royal Oak. The first will be on Sunday 17 September and the second on 10 December  – both at 1.00pm. These are open to the whole Team; please book with me if you would like to join us for this time of fellowship with each other. The cost is £11 per person for a two-course meal.

Marion Beagley

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Mothers’ Union

At the kind invitation of Bob and Barbara Lyle, we met for a garden party at Tatchley House on a lovely warm evening in July, having changed the date to accommodate as many members as possible. We had a short prayer session and then enjoyed shared food and drink plus the delights of the garden. Our bring and buy raised £20 for Diocesan MU work and a pleasant evening was enjoyed by everyone.

Our next meeting will take place on Tuesday 26 September at 7.30pm in the United Reformed Church. All existing and new members welcome when our speaker will be Mrs Margaret Edwards who will continue her Glimpse of India talk.

Marion Beagley

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Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust

Reg Charity No 280879R

Annual Sponsored Ride and Walk

On Saturday 9 September the Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust will be organising its Annual Sponsored Ride and Walk. It is the Trust’s major fund raising event and if you can ride a bicycle or a horse or walk, it is hoped you will be willing to participate in it. If none of these applies to you, your support by agreeing to sponsor participants will constitute an excellent alternative. If you could spare some time on the day to keep our churches open and welcome the visitors that would be most appreciated, too.

Further information about the event, together with sponsorship forms, is available from Bob Lyle at St Mary’s and Nigel Woodcock at St Nicolas’.

Half of the money raised is given to the churches of the choices of the participants. The other half is to be given to the Trust for its grant aid fund, which exists solely to assist churches and chapels facing financial headaches in respect of repairs and restoration costs.

The cause is a good one and, although good weather cannot be guaranteed, all those who have taken part in past years have experienced an enjoyable day.

Please consider how YOU can best support the event. Thank you.

Brian Wood

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Celebrate! Men’s Night

Celebrate! are hosting another men’s social evening at the Royal Oak in the Burgage on Monday 11 September from 7.30pm. Do join us if you fancy a drink and a chat – no previous experience of Celebrate! necessary!

Jerry Porter

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St Mary’s Bakestall

The next bakestall at St Mary’s is on Sunday 17 September with contributions from those with surnames N-Z. Do contact us if you would like to join the rota.

Margaret Waker & Linda Matthews

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Food for Thought –
Autumn Quiet Day

The Quiet Day will take place on Saturday 14 October at Nympsfield. The day offers three short sessions considering different aspects of hospitality in St Luke’s Gospel and there will be plenty of opportunity for quiet reflection, concluding with a Eucharist. A generous lunch provided by the Sisters is included.

Please sign up on the lists displayed in each church, indicating whether you need transport or can offer transport to someone else. The cost of the day will be £14, including lunch; bookings with payments are needed no later than the first Sunday in October. A total of 30 places is available across the Team, so you are advised to sign up early if you wish to attend.

Further information is available from members of the Education Group:
  Colin Holman at St Mary’s
  Margaret Compton at St Nicolas’
  Karen Winder or Julia Hook at All Saints’

Jen Swinbank

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Musicians for Celebrate!

If you think you might be interested in joining the band at Celebrate! on Sunday mornings at 9.30 in St Mary’s, do have a word with Jerry Porter.

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Rockers Musicians Required

Do you have a spare hour on a Thursday? Can you play an instrument? Pre-school children and their carers would be very grateful if you could join the rota and play music whilst we sing and dance. Music will be provided. Please contact Vicky Dunn.

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Children’s Society Boxes at St Mary’s

Ruth Rudge will be collecting and opening the boxes in September this year. Can any box holders please bring them to church to Celebrate! or before the 11 o’clock service. If this is a problem contact Ruth and she will collect. Thank you.

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Thank You!

Many thanks to our church family who have supported us over the past few weeks whilst Father Michael has been on sabbatical leave. Your kind thoughts and prayers and many offers of practical help have been so much appreciated. A particular ‘thank you’ to Terry Biggs and Simon Taylor for much ferrying about of children and post – and also for their heroic (and successful) mouse catching!!

Gill, Anna and Simon Cozens

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Church Fete

My thanks to all who supported the Church Fete back in July. We had a very nice, warm afternoon, with lots of visitors and plenty to do. We raised around £2,000 for church funds, so congratulations and thanks to all involved.

Marion Beagley

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