St Mary's Church
Fairford

Service of Thanksgiving celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty The Queen

Sunday 3 June, 11am (No 10am service). For 60 years the Queen has served the country and Commonwealth with an unswerving sense of duty and faithfulness, always sustained by her Christian faith. We are all aware of the joys and sorrows of the Royal Family, as all families, have been through over the years. Similarly, the life of this nation has had it’s high points and low points during her reign. Through it all she has been a constant, a rock, giving family and nation a sense of unity and purpose that no one else could provide. We have much to celebrate.

Charity of the Month:
Cotswold Centre for Voluntary Services (CVS)

The Cotswold Centre for Voluntary Services (CVS) is based in Cirencester. It is now in its 51st year, with offices in Tetbury and in the Community Centre Fairford, the latter managed by Ann and Derek Nicholls. The CVS was founded in 1960 by two community minded ladies, concerned about the needs of the elderly in the Cirencester area. They planned to provide assistance with shopping and gardening for those who were frail and with no family living in the area and the charity was set up 1st Jan 61.

Since then the service has grown and gone from strength to strength, with offices at Tetbury, Fairford and some sessions in Morton-in-Marsh. There are three mini buses based in Fairford, supporting residents in surrounding areas with shopping, visits to their GP and other local facilities.

Please use the box in St Mary’s for your donations, talk to Ann on 01285 713852 or write to Cotswold Voluntary Services, 23 Sheep Street CIRENCESTER GL7 1QW. Tel: 01285 658802. E-mail jane @sc-vs.com. There is information to the shelf along the south wall. Website http://www.sc-vs.com/.

Previous Charity Fundraising

The box on the south wall contained £34.39 for the April charity, JMECA, to which the PCC will add further amounts.

Thank you St Mary’s

In March Medical and Scientific Aid for Vietnam Laos and Cambodia was chosen as Charity of the Month by St. Mary’s.

MSAVLC is a small charity which sends medical aid and equipment to the poor, disabled and disadvantaged people of South East Asia, mainly to children. Peter and I both work as volunteers for the charity, and we were invited to give a short talk about our work at a Sunday morning service. We were also able to mount a small exhibition of photographs taken at several of the projects which we support.

We were amazed and delighted by the generosity of the members of the congregation of St. Mary’s, who during the month donated so generously in these difficult times, and our heartfelt thanks go out to all those who contributed. Our thanks also go to the Rev’d Brian Atkinson and Dr. Christine Benzie for their help.

As well as raising money, it gave us the opportunity to make people aware of the work that the charity does. Peter and I will be going out to Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia next March to assess the projects and make sure that the money which you donated is put to good use.

Thank you again.
Mary and Peter Lidgard

Messy Space Special,
Sat 2nd June

Jubilee Songs of Praise

Youthwork News

Rock the Cathedral Youth Event: 16th March 2012
Rock the Cathedral took place in the magnificent setting of Gloucester Cathedral. Altogether more than 600 youth and leaders from across the county and beyond gathered to hear some top Christian artists perform. Beside the musical talent on display and other entertainment (such as sports and giant games) there was another objective – to engage young people with social justice. Through our ‘Charity Market Place’ everyone was invited to learn more about the various charities represented (such as Compassion UK, Gloucester City Mission and Food Bank). There were also opportunities for reflection and prayer through a prayer station zone and a prayer labyrinth. Chris Saunders, the Team youth worker said, “It was a privilege to be part of organising this major event and our on-going prayer is that young people were inspired to consider God’s heart for the poor and needy and to act to bring change. It was also very pleasing that 30 people from the South Cotswold Team parishes attended, some participating as volunteers.
Gaines Youth Residential (nr Worcester): 20-22 April 2012
A mix of fun, friendship and faith including team games, go-karting and a look at wisdom through the Proverbs! Over 30 young people signed up – please pray for good friendships to be built and grown, safety in all we do and good weather!

NEW for Children: 10th June
Jesus and Me Club

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

Men’s Society

will meet on Monday June 25th 2012 at 3.15pm in the Fairford Community Centre.

We will welcome Mike Godsall, who has kindly accepted our invitation, to come to talk to Members and Guests.

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

News May 2012
News April 2012
News March 2012
News February 2012
News January 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011