Holy Week
The first week of April is Holy Week, the most important week of the year for Christians.
There will be an act of worship in St Mary’s every day during the week; these services will reflect the tenor of the actual
events of those days 2000 years ago. On Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday Compline will be said at 6pm. It is a short, said,
devotional service, lasting about 20 minutes. See the
Services Page to find out more.
Good Friday Act of Witness
As last year, this will be a walk starting at 12 o’clock at St Thomas’ and finishing at St Mary’s, with appropriate
hymns and readings along the way. Organised by Churches Together in Fairford.
Stories and Crafts for Easter
Suitable for ages up to 11
Refreshments provided
Thursday 5th April 2:00-4:00
St Mary’s Church Fairford
Charity of the Month:
The Jerusalem and the Middle East Church Association (JMECA)
Amidst the turmoil and uprisings across the Middle East the situation of Churches and Christians has become
increasingly demanding, difficult and in need of support.
JMECA is the largest charity with the specific purpose of supporting the 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 raises about £250,000 p.a. 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 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
www.jmeca.org.uk contains regularly updated news and stories.
In response to the Archbishop of Canterbury’s call to support Christians in the Middle East, this Easter 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 St Mary’s. If you would like further information write
to JMECA 1 Hart House, The Hart FARNHAM Surrey GU9 7HJ. Tel: 01252 726994. Web
secretary@jmeca.ecillipse.co.uk.
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NEW for Children:
Jesus and Me Club
Starts Easter Day, 8th April
10am St Mary’s Church, Fairford
Stories, craft, fun and food
Every second Sunday
followed by an Easter Egg Hunt.
Fairford Men’s Society
Monday April 23rd 3.15pm
Fairford Community Centre
Guest Speaker: Mr Adrian Lynes.
Members are invited to bring partner or guest. Gary Cook (07762478130).
Messy Space, Sat 21st April
Family Crafts and Coffee Shop
2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Fairford Community Centre
This month’s theme: 'St George'
Adults & children (recommended 4 yrs upwards). £2 per child - maximum £5 per family.
A project of Churches Together Around Fairford.
Café Church
Sunday 1st April and Sunday 6th May, 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.
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 March 2012
News February 2012
News January 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011
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