St Mary's Church
Fairford

Fairford Mothers' Union

Three members from Fairford enjoyed an outing with the Lechlade branch to Aston Potteries near Bampton on Wednesday 11th July. We visited the pottery studio where we were shown how the pots were made from start to finish. We had a very nice lunch there, then time was spent looking round the gift shop before moving on to Bampton Church where we were met by the Vicar. Mothers’ Union prayers were said and the Vicar gave us a short talk about the Church and community. We looked around the beautiful Church. The day finished with Afternoon Tea at the Trout Inn, Lechlade.

Mary Sumner Day Picnic

From 11am: Coffee will be served in St Lawrence Church followed by an optional guided tour of the church. The Picnic will be in the garden of the New Inn, alongside the River Thames. (A nearby hall is booked should the weather not be kind.)

The afternoon is free. There will be a treasure hunt around Lechlade, or you can explore the antique shops or just sit and enjoy seeing boats passing by. There will also be boat trips on the river in the ‘Inglesham’ – these will last 30 minutes and cost £4.00 per person. The boat will depart from our picnic area.

At 4pm, there will be a closing act of worship before we head for home.

The New Inn have kindly allowed us the use of their garden for this event and, in return, it is hoped that members will purchase drinks/teas/coffees from their bar (they also serve meals should you not want to bring your own picnic!) Parking for cars is in the New Inn car park - which is accessed from the Market Place. Drive under the New Inn archway down to the car park and then on to the field for picnic lunch. Picnic tables and chairs can be taken.

Charity of the Month:
The Church Housing Trust (CHT)

The Trust supports the work of the Riverside ECHG (formerly English Churches Housing Group) helping more than 3,500 homeless people in over 80 hostels throughout England.  Their partnership continues to bring effective and life-changing services to some of the most vulnerable homeless people in our country.

An impressive history of providing innovative hostel, move-on and resettlement action has placed the Trust and the Riverside ECHG at the forefront of successful work with homeless people.  The statutory funding received from the government provides basic financial needs to develop buildings, provide staffing and certain services, but it is the funding that the Trust provides from donations that enables the Staff to make a real difference to the lives of residents, giving them the skills and support they need as they return to independent living.

Literature is available on the shelf of the south wall which gives more information about the Church Housing Trust and its work.  Please support the Trust with a donation as well as your prayers for their endeavours.  You can write to the Church Housing Trust at PO Box 50296, LONDON EC1P 1WF.
Tel: 020 7269 1630
E-Mail: info@churchhousingtrust.org.uk
Website

Thank you for your support.

Previous Charity Fundraising

Monies collected from the box for the June charity, CVS, amounted to £34.65 to which the PCC will add further amounts.

Youth Work Update

Barn Service – great worship band, good speaker and a vast majority of young people amongst the 120+ worshippers gathered to praise God from all across our patch and beyond. Youth workers brought young people from Tetbury, Cirencester, Burford and Cricklade and there is initial conversation about extending the already significant influence!

Please pray for the launch of our new Fairford Youth Club for younger teens with a couple of ‘taster’ sessions before the summer. Also the continuing youth confirmation course in Kempsford.

I was at Meysey Hampton on the evening of Friday 13th July for a Cake Bake to raise the profile of youth work in the area. I combined a photographic presentation of my work, as well as having opportunity to meet some young people…and, of course, scoff some cake!

Thank God for the recent opportunity to visit all nine primary schools within the South Cotswold Team area (plus one outside!) talking about moving schools, giving out over 150 ‘It's Your Move’ booklets from Scripture Union.

Chris Saunders, Team Youth Worker

Food Bank Update

I am in touch with the committee planning the Cirencester Food Bank, which they hope will be up and running by the end of September. The donations are being organised by Julia Gibson, and I hope to be in contact with her soon. Shortly, training will take place, for both volunteers and ‘referrers’ (ie people who give out vouchers). Sue Black, our village agent, is already on the list of ‘referrers’.

The Food Bank is on the premises at Ashcroft Church, Cirencester. These buildings are secure, but large lockable cupboards and industrial scales are required. The Committee also needs a minute secretary for its meetings.

I have also been contacted by our local Community Worker for Children in Fairford, who feels that some of the goods donated by St Mary’s could be put to good use immediately. I will inform everyone about this in next month’s Parish News.
Wendy Graham

For Children: 12th August
Jesus and Me Club

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

Other dates:
9th September
14th October
9th December

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