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.
Revd Joy’s Winter Message
Revd Joy’s Winter Message
As Autumn draws in and the Winter begins and we all start to snuggle under blankets with extra hats and scarfs, this is a wonderful time to stop and look back in remembrance. As the crumbs are swept up from the Harvest barn dance, we have a month to stop and take stock. From our All-Souls service (30th October 6pm), to Remembrance Sunday (13th November 10.30am), to the reminder that Jesus reigns over all of it (Christ the King Sunday 20th November) we have a month to stop and think.
Which is exactly what our Faith Sharing team will be doing through November and December; looking back over this last year, all we have learned together, all the new things we have been growing, all the changes that have shaped us in new ways. These are the months for reflecting on the past, before we face forward once again to the future and walk into a new church year (beginning with our Advent Service of Light, Sunday 27th November @ 6pm).
What changes has this year held for you? How have you grown? What are you glad has been and gone? What are you hoping for next? Take the time, if you can, stop and think about these things.
We are starting the same story all over again, but hopefully we are no longer the same people. Instead, we continue to grow and change in the likeness of the God who made and loves us. Would we be brave on the journey this year has in store for us and always remember the things that make this possible.
And, as the winter draws in and we take the time to think, would we extend a hand of welcome and love to those in need around us. After all, we do not set out on this journey alone, and the future is made to be shared. Revd Joy
Muddy Praise at Mundy Fields
Funeral of Her Late Majesty the Queen screened at St Mary’s
At a service in St Mary’s, Parents & Godparents made their baptismal promises: then everyone set out
to the Mundy Playing Fields for the actual Christening of Elana, Toby and Arthur. Following this, books, candles and cuddly toys were handed out (made it all worthwhile!) and then we had light refreshments to round off the afternoon.
Funeral of HM Queen Elizabeth II streamed in St Mary’s
Baptisms and Muddy Praise at Mundy Fields
The funeral of the late Queen was live streamed in St Mary’s Church, thus allowing members of our congregation to come together and join in proceedings at Westminster...
It was most moving to feel a part of the service in this way. Her late Majesty’s deep faith and commitment to her people shone like a beacon of hope, and is an enduring example to us all.
During Heritage Day a book of Commemoration was available for us to sign, along with some simple memorials.
Church Army joins with millions of people around the world in deep sadness at her Majesty’s passing. In a long and distinguished reign, much has been demanded of her. It has
been a reign marked by an unshakeable sense of the responsibility of her position and graced by consistent service to others, and humble obedience to the faith that has guided her steps.
Church Army, which has for so long benefited from her Majesty’s patronage, has partner organisations across the Commonwealth and beyond. We are organisations of service and faith that have drawn inspiration from the Queen’s example.
Together with this extended family we express our deep condolences to the Royal Family, and our gratitude for the life and reign of Queen Elizabeth II.
The Church Army is one of the charities we support through our annual missions giving.
Christine Dadd
Contact thornburybenefice@outlook.com if you would like to be added to the weekly Newsletter mail out.