St Mary's Church
Fairford

Foodbank Update

From mid October, the Trussell Trust will be at the Community Centre in the Heritage Room on a weekly basis (Wednesdays) to distribute to those who are referred.

There will be refreshments provided by the volunteers, so there will be a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.

Love Fairford

The Churches Together Around Fairford team would like to offer a huge vote of thanks for the inspirational leadership that Rosemary Emmerson and Nancy Straates gave to organising LOVE FAIRFORD. Feeling compelled by God’s message 18 months ago, they came together to work out how the people of Fairford could recognise that God loves them - each and every one.

Gradually through much hard work and prayer, a programme of events evolved. This included all ages and varied interests. The practicalities of where, when and how involved many hours of consideration. Inevitably some plans went well; others became complicated and some had to be abandoned altogether. The LOVE FAIRFORD prayer team worked overtime some weeks!

Speakers and singers of the Christian faith were invited and helpers were co-opted. The wonderful people of Fairford rallied round and provided what was needed to make LOVE FAIRFORD a reality. Many thanks go to all of them, too many to mention here.

LOVE FAIRFORD was a great success in bringing members of the community together. Helping individuals to meet new people, it also developed existing acquaintances between neighbours. Cake may not be the obvious social lubricator but it certainly worked for LOVE FAIRFORD.

If you would like to know more about Christian Worship and activities in Fairford you can find information and contact details on the Churches Together website

Charity of the Month:
St Luke’s Healthcare for the Clergy

St Luke’s Healthcare for the Clergy has been supporting the health and wellbeing of the Anglican clergy for nearly 125 years.

The charity was established by Canon William Henry Cooper in 1892 as St Luke’s Hostel, later becoming St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy. The hospital had a very high reputation for its compassionate and caring treatment. The consultants gave their time free of charge and running costs were covered by donations from trusts, parishes, livery companies, individuals and legacies.

However, in 2009, due to spiralling costs, the hospital closed – and St Luke’s Hospital for the Clergy became St Luke’s Healthcare for the Clergy. The trustees were determined that St Luke’s would continue to offer the clergy a wide range of medical, surgical and psychological care from skilled, sympathetic clinicians.

The consultants remained loyal to St Luke’s and today the charity has over 100 eminent ‘honorary consultants’ in the fields of medicine, surgery, psychiatry and psychology. They provide advice and treatment to the clergy and their families free of charge, and resources for dioceses. Although we no longer run a hospital, our vision is clear – for Anglican clergy to be healthy in mind and body, able to serve their parish and community to their full potential.

For more information, contact Claire Walker on 020 7898 1700 or email. .
Website.

News October 2017
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St Mary's News Round-Up 2016
St Mary's News Round-Up 2015
St Mary's News Round-Up 2014
St Mary's News Round-Up 2013
St Mary's News Round-Up 2012
St Mary's News Round-Up 2011

Fairford Festival of Choirs

Saturday, 18th November at 7.30pm
St Mary’s Church
Doors open at 7.00pm.

Amongst those taking part will be St Mary’s Church choir, Kempsford’s Church Choir, Coln St Aldwyns community choir, A Splash of Red ladies choir and other instrumentalists.

Tickets, which will cost £5.00, will be on sale at the Post Office in Fairford or on the door in the evening.

Wine and soft drinks will be available before the start of the concert and during the interval payable by donations. All profits to the choirs nominated charities. Do please come along and enjoy a good evening’s entertainment.

For more information call Jean Kilgariff on 01285 712347 or Ray Shaw on 01285 712334.

Charity Advent Service

Collection shared between GAT and St Mary’s Church.

Gloucestershire Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride 9th September

Mike Bottomley, Dave Mills, John Hill and I completed a ride of a little over 40 miles and visited 23 churches and chapels along the way. The forecast was for rain in the afternoon but we only had one quite drenching spell between Down Ampney and Meysey Hampton where we were treated to freshly made tea with home-made cakes. Not only did this restore us, but when we went on our way again, the rain had stopped. We still had a way to go and on arriving at St. Mary's and the end of our ride we had dried out completely.

Thanks in no small part to the generous sponsorship of church members we managed to raise a goodly sum of £735 which has now been sent to the GHCT administrator who will return half of it to St. Mary's with the other half plus all the gift-aid remaining with the Trust to be used for the maintenance of historic churches in the county.

We would like to thank everyone for their support.
Phil Trickett

Messy Church

We meet on the second Sunday
of every month.

Sunday 12th November
In St Mary's Church. 4pm-6pm
Crafts, Games, Celebration, Cooked Meal
FOR FAMILIES.

The theme is 'Peace and Comfort' and we will be reflecting on how God works as a comforter.

We will start with activities and games followed by a Celebration and then a cooked meal , finishing about 6pm as usual.

No need to book but it will help us with catering if you can let us know that you are coming. If not - just turn up on the day.

Email stmaryslmt@gmail.com.

Making Space Sat 18th November

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2.00 – 4.00 p.m. Fairford Community Centre
Family Crafts and Coffee Shop

This month's theme: Jewels of Autumn.

Adults and Children
£2 per child (max. £5 per family)
Concessions available

A project of Churches Together Around Fairford.
Enabling families to enjoy being families.