Newsletter - 29/01/2023

Life Events Co-ordinator

We are pleased to announce that Lizzie Jones, Licensed Lay Minister for Funerals, will additionally take on the role of Life Events Co-ordinator as of 1 February 2023. There will be occasions when Lizzie will work from the office and other times when she will be working from home. We send her our warmest congratulations and look forward to her contribution to the life of our Benefice in these complementary roles.

Community Fayre

Community Fayre on Sunday at 10.30 am in the Church Hall.

We are very much looking forward to seeing you at this event. We will have the opportunity to find out more about some of the groups that are part of our Benefice Community and to be able to pray for their work and consider our role within the community. Our Bring and Share lunch afterwards is open to all - if you did not get the chance to sign up to bring some food with you, please just bring a little something to add to the table for us to enjoy together.

'Bristol Camerata' chamber orchestra

An open rehearsal, 3 pm - 4.30 pm on 28th January. Young families, elderly people or anyone who would not be able to come to the evening concert at 7.45 pm, are invited to drop in and stay for as much or as little as suits them and experience an orchestra close up. This is free but there will be a donations pot if you feel able to contribute. Please help to spread the word and we hope that you can join us.

Please speak to Barbara on 01454 412272 or go to 'Surroundings' in Thornbury.

Communion Assistants

As we continue to worship together it would be lovely to have a few more volunteers to help with the administration of Communion (distributing the wine). If this is something you would be interested in learning about please chat with one of the Clergy or Wardens. This may not be a regular commitment, but it would help to have a few more hands to call upon on those busy Sundays!

Can you help?

Would anyone be willing to occasionally collect a lady from Kington to go to the St Mary's 10.30 am services? Please contact Sheila Fisher on 07805058632 if you can help.

John Ray Initiative

John Ray Initiative is a small Christian charity aiming to equip the church to think seriously about issues of environmental science and theology. They are running a series of Zoom webinars, one roughly every two months, and the next one: The Land: Theology and Practice on February 4th from 2.00-5.30 pm.

Please see https://jri.org.uk/ for further information.

Reading the Gospel of John

The next study group on zoom will be Monday 30th at 8 pm. This will be a weekly meeting reading the Gospel together with pauses for any questions or discussion. The course will run for as long as it

takes! Confirmation candidates are encouraged to join but do know that this course is open to everyone. All are welcome! Zoom details for joining can be found in the Newsletter email.

Children’s Confirmation Class

The study materials for children (8 years +) exploring confirmation will come out in the newsletter in late January/early February. These will be divided into 6 sessions for discussions around the dinner table at home. A single “in person” session with Revd Chris and Joy will run during Lent with the children interested in being confirmed included in the service at Gloucester Cathedral on Holy Saturday. Please contact Revd Joy for further details. Revd Joy will also be running a Q&A of the Clergy session before Easter which will be open to everyone.

Foodbank January 2023 Shopping list

Please see the Church noticeboard for further information.