Passers-by will have noticed that the churchyard has appeared in need of a trim at some times during this summer. This was the result of an experimental policy to allow the growth of grasses and wild flowers to encourage the insect population, as is being done elsewhere in the village.
At its meeting in June, the PCC reviewed the position in the light of comments received from villagers. It was decided that the parts of the churchyard fronting Church Street and the lane which runs down to the fields on the south side would be regularly cut as before, while the area to the rear (north) of the church, and on the east side, should be allowed to grow during the summer and cut back later in the year. The areas of longer grass will have paths cut through them to allow access for people to enjoy what we hope will become an area containing a variety of attractive meadow flowers growing in the grass.
The cemetery (the separate area surrounded by railings to the east of the church) will be regularly cut throughout the season as this is in active use and graves are regularly visited. As ever, we are grateful to Roy Locke for his great work in keeping these areas cut and tidy.
The currently unused cemetery extension to the rear of the existing cemetery is owned by the Parish Council which has its own plans for managing this area as a wildflower meadow.
We hope these policies meet with the approval of Upton residents but as ever, we would welcome comments and feedback.
Paul Batho

You will appreciate that services for this Christmas will not be as normal but we aim to retain some awe and wonder.

The Nativity Play on December 24th at 4.30pm will take place outside in the grounds of the church, where provision will be in place to safe distance family ‘Bubbles’

The story will be presented in a different way through Gabriel, the wise men and shepherds, and the church porch will be turned into the stable.

Warm drinks and light refreshment will be served throughout as we will not be allowed to socialize at the end.

Christmas Morning 9.00am, it is not yet known how many we will be allowed to have inside the building. We have in the past been able to welcome many visitors and we would still hope to do so.

It would help to know in advance the numbers to expect so we would appreciate your getting in touch to book into the service as soon as you are able. Thank you

Jessie 850206, Paul 851251, Clare 850486

 

Make a memory of a loved one and hang it on the tree in the Church porch from December 13th to the 24th using the card provided.

If you would like to make a donation to Church funds please leave your gift in the box in the church which will be open all day on Sundays and Wednesdays.

For more information please contact Clare on 850486

 

The Ride and Stride event will go ahead on Saturday 12th September, under Government guidelines. Individuals are invited to get sponsorship for cycling, walking, or horse riding around as many churches as possible. Half of the monies collected go to a church of your choice and half to the OHCT which provides grants for the upkeep of church buildings. St Mary’s church will be open all day.
For further information and to download a sponsor form please go to rideandstride@ohct.org.uk. or contact Clare Lightfoot 01235 850486.

It’s good to be able to announce that the church will reopen for private prayer from 9:00am to 5:00pm every Sunday and Wednesday, commencing from Sunday, 28th June.

The interior has been thoroughly cleaned and sanitised in accordance with government and church regulations. We have had to limit the areas open to visitors – please observe the rules displayed in the church porch.

Further announcements will be made as and when changing circumstances and regulations permit wider opening and the resumption of services.

Welcome back!

Jessie West and Paul Batho – churchwardens

 

Upton Parish Church is part of the Churn Benefice. During the current lockdown our buildings must remain closed but the Church continues to be alive and active.

You can contact the Benefice clergy: –

Jason  01235 850267 office@churnchurches.co.uk

Louise          07837 009730 revlouiseb@aol.com

John  01235 512987 jphclarke@gmail.com

The Benefice Administrator, Dawn Saunders, is working from home with full access to Benefice emails during her normal office hours and can be contacted on the office email address office@churnchurches.co.uk

Provisional bookings for weddings, baptisms etc. may be made online by contacting the office via email.

The Churn newsletter and readings along with information about Benefice activities for the current week will be distributed by email. Please contact Dawn if you would like to receive them.

Online Services

Our regular worship continues online – Sunday mornings at 10.30am, login or connect from 10.00am to chat before the service and get ready. You can join in using a computer, laptop, tablet, mobile phone or landline.

A short evening prayer service is also held on weekdays at 8.00pm.

Please see the Benefice website www.churnchurches.co.uk or the Churn, if you receive it, for the service access codes or telephone number to call and full details of how to join each week.

Ascension Day – Online Benefice Service

On Thursday 21st May at 8.00pm there will be an online Ascension Day Service, see the website or the Churn, if you receive it, for the service access code and details of how to join.

Short Daily Reflection and Prayer

During weekdays Fr Jason is writing a short reflection and prayer, if you would like to receive it please contact Dawn

Children’s Worship Online

Revd Louise is organising occasional online children’s worship. The next one ‘Growing with Jesus’ is on Wednesday 6th May at 4.00pm. Children are encouraged to show a growing plant, or perhaps the plan of a secret garden. Please contact Louise if you would like further information or would like to join the group.

CYGnet Youth Group

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to join the CYGnet Youth Group who are now meeting online usually on the 3rd Sunday of the month from 6.30pm to 8.00pm. For more information please contact Leslie – 07709 602923.

Mother’s Union

The Churn Mothers’ Union is working to raise funds for AFIA – a programme that offers holidays away for families who wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford them. To raise the money, the MU is doing a ‘sponsored card’ event. MU members will make and send 100 cards in May to people who are helping out during the crisis or have been affected.
Could you sponsor us for 5 or 10p per card (£5 or £10 total)? Cash can be given in a sealed envelope, or cheque to “The Churn MU” and delivered to Revd Louise Butler, Penridge, Church Road, Blewbury, OX11 9PY. Bank transfers can also be made, please contact Louise for account details.

 

Fundraising update

We would like to thank all those who have contributed so far to the vestry alteration and new toilet project. We are well on our way to achieving half of the total amount which will allow us to start applying for grants. We would welcome any further contributions which can be made by cash or cheque made out to Upton Parochial Council and given to Paul Batho or Ann Parham. Fundraising events are being planned for next year. These will be separate from the activities of the Friends of St Mary’s.

We would also like to thank the Friends for all the support they continue to give us which pays for the upkeep of the church building.

Christmas card competition

In the past we have given a Christmas card to every house in the parish and we are intending to do this again this year. However, we would like the design of the card to be made by a child in the parish so if you are under 16 years of age get out your pens, pencils, paints and crayons and design us a card. One will be chosen and printed for Christmas 2019. Your entries may be given to Paul Batho, Ann Parham, Clare Lightfoot, Jessie West or left in the church in an envelope clearly marked Christmas card competition. The closing date of the competition is November 15^th 2019

This year’s sponsored event raises money for Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust will take place on Saturday 14th September.

Last year our lone rider Paul raised £155, half of which benefitted St Mary’s Church.  It would be great if more people could join in, perhaps by walking around Oxford Churches.  It’s amazing how many churches are within walking distance of the city.  If you would like more information or a sponsor form, please contact Clare Lightfoot 01235 850486 or Jesse West 01235 851206

There are some subtle yet important improvements planned to St Mary’s church which, in a nutshell, bring it from its 11th century origins straight into the 21st! We are planning to install an accessible toilet and proper catering facilities so that the building can continue to serve all the residents of Upton for another thousand years. Planning permission has been granted and the Diocese has given us a Faculty so we are ready to start fundraising.

The fundraising appeal will be launched in the church on Saturday, 6th July, beginning at 7.30 pm. There will be wine, refreshments and music and an opportunity to see the plans and comment on them. By the time of the event, all Upton residents will have received a leaflet and flyer through the door giving details of our proposals so do come along on 6th and see for yourself – we look forward to seeing you there.

Paul Batho (Chair of PCC)