St Mary in Window 3 St Mary's, Fairford

St Mary's Church
Fairford

St Mary's, Fairford Angel in Window 1

Rev'd Brian Atkinson

The Reverend Brian Atkinson

As of 31st March the Rev'd Atkinson is no longer the Vicar of St Mary's. He is moving on into semi-retirement; taking up a part-time post in Amberley, near Minchinhampton. Fairford wishes Brian and Kathy a long and happy (partial!) retirement and thank them both for all they have done for St Mary's and the local community.

The process of selecting his successor will now go ahead.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting

Weds April 23rd at 7pm
St Mary's Church

There are two vacancies on the PCC; if you are interested or need more information, please contact Sally Salter or Mike Godsal (Churchwardens).

All are welcome.

Funday Sundays in 2014

Sunday 6 April
Sunday 4 May
St Mary's Church 4pm-6pm

Crafts, Games, Worship, Cooked Meal
FOR FAMILIES.

No need to book but it will help us with catering if you can let us know that you are coming. If not - just turn up on the day.

If you could help with of these events please talk to one of the LMT members about it or contact Sarah Bottomley( 712074) or Kathleen Hall ( 712583) or email stmaryslmt@gmail.com.

Joint Outing

The Friends of Fairford Church and the Flower Team are joining together for an outing on Tuesday 8th July to Ewelme Church nr Wallingford and Mary Berry’s garden nr High Wycombe.

If you would like more information please contact either Geoff (712053) or Heather (712428).

Charity of the Month:
Middle East Church Association (JMECA)

Middle East Church Association (JMECA)

Amidst the turmoil and uprisings across the Middle East the situation of Churches and Christians has become increasingly difficult and in need of support. JMECA is the largest charity with the specific purpose of supporting life, witness and social engagement of the Episcopal (Anglican) Church across North Africa, the Middle East and Iran.

Established in 1889 by the first Anglican Bishop in Jerusalem, JMECA today raise £250,000 a year from donations and other sources to support many areas of the Church’s engagement with the wider life of the Middle East – schools, hospitals and clinics, social welfare programmes – there are at least 33 such programmes in the Diocese of Jerusalem alone (covering Israel/Palestine, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria).

Through its twice yearly magazine ‘Bible Lands’ JMECA provides information and thoughtful comment on issues affecting Christians in the region, along with prayer requests for the four dioceses, while its new website contains regularly updated news and stories.

In response to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s recent call to support Christians in the Middle East during the Easter period the charity is encouraging parishes to give their Good Friday Offering to the Church in the Middle East and to pray for Christians and all peoples of the region.

There is literature on the shelf along the south wall of the Church. Please give a donation if you can. If you would like further information write to JMECA, 1 Hart House, The Hart, FARNHAM, Surrey GU9 7HJ. Tel: 01252 726994. Email.
Website.

Previous Charity Fundraising

When the monies were counted from the box in the Church for the February charity, ‘Embrace the Middle East’ the amount came to £54.04 to which the PCC will add further amounts.

Easter Services

The Ven. Robert Springett, Archdeacon of Cheltenham will be leading Holy Week this year. He was eager to come to Fairford and celebrate Easter here. He is aware of the tradition of having champagne as the Easter Communion wine and is very happy to continue the practice. The Archdeacon is an inspiring preacher.

The Ven. Robert Springett

Daily Prayer during Lent

Daily Prayer during Lent Monday - Saturday 12 noon in the Corpus Christi Chapel. From Thursday 6th March to Good Friday.

All are welcome - please do come and join us.


South Cotswolds Team Lenten Series: The Problem of Pain

Thursdays at 7pm in St Mary’s, Fairford

Christians searching for God in the midst of suffering

April 3rd: Revd Dr Trystan Owain Hughes: 'Finding Meaning and Hope in Suffering'
April 10th: Anne Atkins: When Life seems against you

All talks are absolutely free and coffee will be served afterwards to give an opportunity to meet the speakers. Dr Hughes and Anne Atkins will bring copies of their books to sell to anyone who is interested in reading more.

Word and Art in Lent

This event is organised by Churches Together in Fairford for every Friday in Lent starting at 12.20 at Fairford United Church, Milton Street.

Illuminated lettering
Listen to a reading of a whole gospel and try an associated craft. Enjoy a Soup Lunch.


  • April 11th John's Gospel and Illuminated lettering

Messy Space, Sat 12th April

Messy Space

2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Fairford Community Centre
Crafts and Coffee Bar for families
This month’s theme: Stories

Adults and Children (recommended 4 years upwards)
£2 per child (max. £5 per family)
Concessions available

A project of Churches Together Around Fairford.

Volunteer needed. Messy Space is in urgent need of an able-bodied person to help set up tables and chairs one Saturday morning a month (Sep - April) in the upstairs room at the Community Centre. Times to suit; job share considered; remuneration - Maureen's gratitude! Applications to Maureen Partington Email or 712480.

Jesus and Me Club, 13th April

JAM Club

10am St Mary’s Church, Fairford
Stories, craft,
fun and food
Every second Sunday

Youth Service Dates

27th April, 1st June, 28th June (Barn Service), 28th September, 2nd November and 30th November.

Venue will be Lechlade Baptist Church (unless stated) starting at 7.15pm. See poster in porch for details.


News March 2014
News February 2014
News January 2014
St Mary's News Round-Up 2013
St Mary's News Round-Up 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011

Copyright © St Mary's Parochial Church Council 2010-2014