St Mary's Church
Fairford

Baby Memorial Book and Service

At February's family service, Rev'd Symcox presented and dedicated Fairford's new remembrance book especially for babies. The Baby Memorial Book now stands on the altar in the Corpus Christi chapel so that anyone visiting the church can make an entry in memory of a baby lost at any age or stage of pregnancy. If you have experienced the loss of a baby there can be too few opportunities to write about them and no obvious places to go to remember. The Baby Memorial Book hopes to offer both residents and visitors a chance to record and remember their baby's precious life, however short.

A week later, on 2nd March, Fairford's first Baby Memorial Service took place. Embrace, the local baby loss support group, and the team at St Mary's Church worked together to create a service that provided a much-needed space to speak about baby loss and to share in grief and longing, while also bringing hope into the situation. A really special part of the service was Howard Ewan sharing the story of the miscarriage he and his wife Janet experienced just over a year ago. Howard bravely and beautifully shared a story that many could relate to and, as a man, also offered a little heard perspective on the experience of miscarriage. The service was well attended and hugely valued by the congregation, many of whom stayed afterwards for delicious refreshments and to discuss and share their experiences.

We hope there will be other services and events in the future so if you are interested in these, or in being involved with Embrace in any way, please contact Kate at embracefairford@gmail.com.

Charity of the Month:
Jerusalem & Middle East Church Association

JMECA is a UK-based charity, the main object of which is to encourage support in prayer, money and personal service the religious and other charitable work of the four self-governing dioceses - Jerusalem, Egypt, Iran and Cyprus & the Gulf - that together form the Province of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church in Jerusalem & the Middle East.

There are churches throughout the vast area contained within the Province, mostly looked after by indigenous clergy, as well as schools, hospitals and other foundations - many of them in places where poverty, civil strife and religious problems are commonplace. Through the generosity of donors and the income earned on invested funds, JMECA and its Standing Committee (the Jerusalem & the East Mission Trust) assist the Province with funding of approximately £250,000 each year. To find out more about how the money is raised visit our funds and finances page.

To inform people about the life of the church in the Middle East, JMECA publishes a twice-yearly magazine called Bible Lands, which is sent, free of charge, to parishes and individuals who wish to receive it. You can request your own copy of Bible Lands or download the latest edition.
Website.

Music in Country Churches

24th and 25th May

St.Mary’s church in Fairford is fortunate to have many concerts during the year. We are particularly fortunate this year to have a further visit from ‘Music in Country Churches’. This is a Charitable Trust set up in 1989 with the active support of HRH The Prince of Wales, with the aim of supplying music of exceptional quality in beautiful rural churches.

This year on 24th and 25th May we have two evening concerts with world class artists and soloists. The main focus this year is to help the church in Down Ampney.

If you feel you could offer help in any way please contact:- Alison Godsal 01285 713101 or email alisongodsal@mclweb.net

Messy Church

We meet on the second Sunday
of every month EXCEPT AUGUST.

Sunday 14th April
In St Mary's Church. 4pm-6pm
Crafts, Games, Celebration, Cooked Meal
FOR FAMILIES.

It's Palm Sunday! So we will have lots of activities and games with this theme followed by a Celebration and then a party tea in the Community Centre. This will be a Messy Special .

Please let us know of any dietary requirements for the meal, otherwise just turn up on the day.

For further details contact:
Sarah 01285712074
or Email stmaryslmt@gmail.com.

News March 2019
News February 2019
News January 2019
St Mary's News Round-Up 2018
St Mary's News Round-Up 2017
St Mary's News Round-Up 2016
St Mary's News Round-Up 2015
St Mary's News Round-Up 2014
St Mary's News Round-Up 2013
St Mary's News Round-Up 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011