Service to Mark the Start of Lent
Lent begins on Ash Wednesday, which this year falls on 22nd February. This year we will mark the day with a
service of Holy Communion and Imposition of Ashes in St Mary’s at 7pm. This will be a South Cotswold Team Service with other
clergy and laypeople of the Team taking part.
Lent is the most solemn season of the Church’s year and a real opportunity to take stock of our spiritual life. See the
Lent page to find out more information on our Prayer and Bible Study Initiatives this Lent.
South Cotswold Team Retreat 21st– 23rd September 2012
Our retreat is taking place at Nympsfield again this year, a delightful Cotswold village between Tetbury and Stroud. We have
been returning here for several years, as the accommodation and facilities are so good, and it is very near to us. We leave
Fairford 4:00-5:00pm on the Friday and return after lunch on Sunday. We all have our own rooms; and the cost of all this with
excellent home cooking is £96 for the weekend.
The retreat leader this year will be Brian Atkinson who will lead us in study of a Bible passage.
This year it will not be a silent retreat, but there will be opportunities to be quiet and reflective if desired.
If you would like to join us, please let me know as soon as possible.
Joanne Roberts, 01285 711386
Charity of the Month:
The Church Missionary Society
CMS is a community mission service, living a mission lifestyle, equipping people in mission, sharing resources for mission work.
CMS supports over 700 people in mission and works in over 60 countries. Sharing Jesus, changing lives could not be a simpler
statement of what CMS is about, nor one charged with so much meaning. Looking through their literature on the top shelf of
the bookcase, their mission might mean sharing Christ-like love with children at risk, or sharing a community transforming
vision with marginalised pastors. It could even mean sharing in the traumas of persecuted Christians to sharing the inspiration
that has been found in a humble grassroots project. Above all, it means sharing the reality of the risen Christ and opening
each other’s eyes to his kingdom. When that sharing happens it is sure to change lives.
Your support for the work of CMS is sought through our prayers and donations. There are booklets to look at on the shelf
and Gift Aid envelopes opposite. You can contact the Church Mission Society at:
Freepost RRJC-GAAU-TCYE, CMS Box 1799, OXFORD OX4 9BN, Tel: 0845 620 1799. See their website.
Previous Charity Fundraising
During December monies collected from the charities were as follows: the service of Nine Lessons and Carols and the
charity box raised £314.03 for the Children’s Society and the collection at the Crib Service amounted to £431.96 for CRISIS.
The PCC has added further amounts. Thank you for your contributions.
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Visit of The Rt Rev’d Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester
On Wednesday 1 February, 7.30pm, we welcome The Rt Rev’d Michael Perham, Bishop of Gloucester, to St Mary’s.
He will talk about ‘Worship that transforms lives’. The Bishop spoke on this subject at a recent Clergy Training Day
and many of the resultant questions and comments came from clergy in rural parishes, with their particular challenges
and opportunities. The Team clergy felt that as many people as possible from this area should hear what the Bishop has
to say to our rural communities. Clergy and laypeople from all over the SCTM will join us - more details to follow.
Bingo and Supper
B&B Enterprises proudly present yet another Good Night Out!
Friday 2 March
Fairford Community Centre
6.30-9.30
Ticket Price £10
to include meal and one book for each game played
Transport (there will be a charge) available if booked in advance. Entrance by advanced ticket sales only.
Proceeds to St Mary’s Church, Fairford.
Fairford Men’s Society
The February meeting will be held in the PCC Meeting Room at Fairford Community Centre on Monday 27th February
at 3.15pm. Our Speaker will be The Rev’d Jean Brown. All welcome.
Messy Space, Sat 18th February
Family Crafts and Coffee Shop
2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Fairford Community Centre
This month’s theme: 'I love...'
Adults & children (recommended 4 yrs upwards). £2 per child - maximum £5 per family.
A project of Churches Together Around Fairford.
Café Church
Sunday 5th February & Sunday 4th March 4.00 to 5.30 pm in the United Church, Milton Street.
Please join us and
meet friends, play games, talk about issues, hear stories, do crafts, have informal worship & food.
We welcome anyone –any age!
For more information contact Joanne Roberts on 01285 711386.
Organised by Churches Together Around Fairford.
News January 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011
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