The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 6^th April at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 17^th April at 7pm in the Benefice Centre

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along. We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

“Christ in Quiet”

Monthly contemplative prayer services; reflecting on bible passages, listening to Christian music and gently moving into silent prayer, these last about 30 minutes. Held across the benefice on the last Saturday morning of each month at 9am.

Next service – 30^th April, St. Mary’s Upton

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 20^th March at 7pm in the Benefice Centre

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along.

We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 2^nd March at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

“Christ in Quiet”

Monthly contemplative prayer services; reflecting on bible passages, listening to Christian music and gently moving into silent prayer, these last about 30 minutes.

Held in the churches across the benefice on the last Saturday morning of each month at 9am. Next service – 26^th March at All Saints’ North Moreton

Christian Fellowship Group

– for Mums with young children who meet together to grow in faith and take something of what they experience to their families. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 15^th March, 8pm at Torpids, High Street, Upton.

Theme: “A Journey through Lent to Easter with your Children”.

Contact for information or transport: Justine 510864; Revd Louise 851011

LENT GROUPS

Wednesday evening:

7.45pm – 9.15pm in the Benefice Centre

Fr Jason will lead a book group/bible study on Living Jesus, by John Pritchard, Bishop of Oxford.

It will not be necessary to purchase the book to partake in this group.

Meeting – 23^rd March, 30^th March, 6^th April and 13^th April. (4 sessions)

Thursday lunchtime:

12.30pm – 2pm in the Benefice Centre

Louise will lead a Lent reflection. Lunch will be provided at 12.30pm by members of the group. We hope many will be able to join this fellowship beforehand.

Meeting – 17^th March, 24^th March, 31^st March, 7^th April and 14^th April. (5 sessions)

Thursday Evening:

7.45pm – 9.15pm at Sula Sgier, Main Street, West Hagbourne by kind invitation of Doreen and John Watling.

Fr Geoffrey will lead a Lent group looking at the Sacraments.

Meeting – 10^th March, 17^th March, 24^th March, 31^st March and 14^th April. (5 sessions)

(Please note:- there will not be a meeting of this group on 7^th April)

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 20^th February at 7pm in the Benefice Centre

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along.

We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

Also – 6^th February at 7pm, in the Benefice Centre, Discussion Group

The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 2^nd February at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

Also…..

Mothers’ Union AGM, Sunday 27^th February – 3pm – Benefice Centre

We shall review the past year, make plans for the future and enjoy worship and fellowship together. Members and anyone interested in the work of the Mothers’ Union are invited to attend. The meeting will conclude with refreshments

New Bishop of Reading

The new Bishop of Reading is to be the Rt Revd Andrew Proud. The new Bishop replaces the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell who became Bishop of Chelmsford in 2010.

Bishop Andrew, who is 56, is currently Area Bishop of Ethiopia and the Horn of Africa. He will be installed as Bishop of Reading at Reading Minster on Saturday 16^th April.

Licensing – The Revd Geoffrey Borrowdale will be licensed to the Churn Benefice by Archdeacon Norman Russell on Sunday 30^th January at 10.30am in St. Andrew’s Hagbourne. All are welcome to attend.

The Big Sing!

An opportunity to come together to sing some favourite Hymns.

Sunday 13^th February – 4pm in St. Andrew’s Hagbourne.

Followed by refreshments. All Welcome. There will be a retiring collection to support the work of the Hagbourne Action Group.

Christian Fellowship Group

– for Mums with young children who meet together to grow in faith and take something of what they experience to their families. The next meeting will be on Tuesday 8^th February, 8pm at Torpids, High Street, Upton.

Theme: “Growing in Spirit with our Children”

Contact for information or transport: Justine 510864; Revd Louise 851011

“Christ in Quiet”

Monthly contemplative prayer services; reflecting on bible passages, listening to Christian music and gently moving into silent prayer, these last about 30 minutes.

Held in the churches across the benefice on the last Saturday morning of each month at 9am. Next services – 29^th January at St. Michael’s Blewbury and 26^th February at St. Andrew’s Hagbourne.

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 19^th December at 7pm in the Benefice Centre

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along.

We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 1^st December at 12.15pm

in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

Home Communion over Christmas

Home Communion is available to anyone who is unable to get to church through sickness or frailty, either for a short time or on a long term basis. If you, or anyone you know, would like to receive Holy Communion at home over the Christmas period, please contact The Revd Louise Butler, 851011, or leave a message at the benefice office, 850267.

Night Prayer by Candlelight in Advent

Wednesday evenings 8-9pm

1^st December North Moreton 8^th December Hagbourne

15^th December Aston Upthorpe 22^nd December Upton

Everyone welcome!

Annual Blewbury Christmas Market

27^th November in St. Michael’s Church Blewbury

Homemade puddings & pies, Fairtrade chocolate, Christmas Cakes & Biscuits…….

and hundreds of gifts from children’s stocking fillers

to silk scarves and hand embroidered linens.

Come do your “foody” and Christmas Gift shopping.

10.30am to 12.30pm with music, refreshments and a bran tub for children.

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 21^st November at 7pm in the Benefice Centre. All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along. We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 3^rd November at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

Christian Fellowship Group

– for Mums with young children who meet together to grow in faith and take something of what they experience to their families.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 30^th November, 8pm at Torpids, High Street, Upton.

Family Christmases around the World.

Contact for information or transport: Justine 510864; Revd Louise 851011

Announcement – Fr Anthony

Fr Anthony’s last service in the Benefice will be Evensong on November 21^st, 6pm at St. Andrew’s. There will be a collection for Anthony. If you wish to contribute to this please give it to one of your Churchwardens or bring it to the Benefice Office.

Advent Sunday – Sunday 28^th November

The traditional Advent Carol Service will be held in St. Michael’s, Blewbury on Sunday 28^th November at 6pm. Everyone in the benefice is invited to attend this very popular service.

Night Prayer by Candlelight in Advent

Wednesday evenings 8-9pm

1^st December North Moreton 8^th December Hagbourne

15^th December Aston Upthorpe 22^nd December Upton

Everyone welcome!

Will Aid 2010:

Make a Will, Make a Difference

This scheme provides the opportunity for adults of any age to have their basic Will drawn up by a professional solicitor during November in return for a voluntary donation to Will Aid. The suggested donation is £75 for a single Will, £110 for mirror Wills or £40 for a codicil or change to a previous Will. The money raised from donations is shared between the participating charities, including Christian Aid and others, and is put to use helping people to live, build their communities and improve their future in the UK and around the world.

People can take the opportunity to leave a gift to their favourite charity and you may wish to consider a legacy to your local church. Any legacy, small or large, could make a huge difference.

It’s so easy to take part in Will Aid. Simply find a convenient solicitor at www.willaid.org.uk or by phoning 0300 0300 013 and make an appointment for November as soon as possible. Names of local participating solicitors are also displayed on the notice board in St. Michael’s Church.

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 17^th October at 7pm in the Benefice Centre

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along.

We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

The Churn Benefice All Soul’s Service

The annual All Souls’ Service will take place this year at

St. Michael’s Blewbury on Sunday 31^st October at 3.30pm.

All are welcome at this service, which includes the lighting of commemorative candles and reading out of names of those to be remembered. Anyone who would like to have a loved one remembered at this service is invited to add their name(s) to the list on the sheets available in all the benefice churches from 3^rd October until 17^th October.

Announcement

As you may or may not be aware, Fr Anthony and Rosemary are in the process of buying a retirement house in Ipswich. They plan to leave the Benefice sometime later this year or early next. More information will be given when available.

The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 6^th October at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

PASSIONATE about PARENTING

This Autumn a group will run for parents caring for children of 0 – 6 yrs. This will be a time to share the joys and challenges of being a parent.

DATES: Tuesday evenings, 8-10pm for 6 weeks from October 5^th (break for half-term)

VENUE: Blewbury Benefice Centre

BOOKING FORMS from: Louise Butler, louisegbutler@aol.com  851011, Jenny Balshaw, jenny.balshaw@googlemail.com  815452

Have you wanted the chance to……..

• discuss bible passages.
• worship informally.
• pray in a group setting.
• get to know other Christians in the area over coffee.

Then this group may be for you!

It is held on Wednesdays at 7.45pm in the Benefice Centre near Blewbury Church.

Please also let us know if you would attend a group if offered on a different day and give the preferred day. See you there!

Churn Youth Group

Sunday 19^th September at 7pm in the Benefice Centre

All young people of secondary school age are welcome to come along.

We meet on the third Sunday of the month from 7pm to 8.30pm at the Benefice Centre or other venue depending on what activity we decide to do.

Christian Fellowship Group

– for Mums with young children who meet together to grow in faith and take something of what they experience to their families.

The next meeting is on Tuesday 28^th September, 8pm at Torpids, High Street, Upton.

"Bringing the Bible Alive" – The parable of the Wise & Foolish Men.

Contact for information or transport: Justine 510864; Revd Louise 851011

Benefice Prayer Initiatives – an update

Exploring Silence

The sessions on Tuesday evenings at 6pm in Upton church continue. Up to 9 people have been meeting and are beginning to find this stillness leads them into a closer relationship with God. We are all learning by experience.

Christ in Quiet

This monthly half hour service has been held in turn at Aston Upthorpe, Blewbury and Hagbourne. At each venue a prayer station has been left as a guide to others. On Saturday September 25^th the service will take place at 9am in North Moreton church. A time to listen to God through music and words of scripture.

The CHURN Branch of the MU

The next Pram Service will be on Wednesday 1^st September at 12.15pm in the Vale Room, Blewbury Village Hall. ALL AGES ARE WELCOME.

A sandwich lunch is provided by the Mothers Union after the service. This is a short Eucharist service ideal for pre-school children to bring parents, grandparents, carers to.

PASSIONATE about PARENTING

This Autumn a group will run for parents caring for children of 0 – 6 yrs. This will be a time to share the joys and challenges of being a parent and cover subjects such as effective communication, building confidence, setting boundaries etc.

DATES: Tuesday evenings, 8-10pm for 6 weeks from October 5th (break for half-term)

VENUE: Blewbury Benefice Centre

BOOKING FORMS from: Louise Butler, louisegbutler@aol.com  851011, Jenny Balshaw, jenny.balshaw@googlemail.com  815452

Some changes to midweek services – starting in September.

Our pattern of midweek services on Tuesdays and Fridays will change; Wednesdays and Thursdays remaining the same.

The schedule from September will be as follows:

TUESDAYS at St. Mary’s Upton (from 7^th September)

9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Holy Eucharist 5.30pm Evening Prayer 6pm Silent meditation

WEDNESDAYS at St. Andrews Hagbourne

9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Holy Eucharist

THURSDAYS at St Michael’s Blewbury

9.30am Morning Prayer 10am Holy Eucharist

FRIDAYS at All Saints’ Aston Upthorpe (from 3^rd September)

8.30am Morning Prayer 9am Holy Eucharist

The Parochial Church Council (PCC)

BRIEF HISTORY

In the history of the Church, the Parochial Church Council (PCC) is fairly new. Up to the early 1900’s the administration & finances of the parish were the legal responsibility of the rector & churchwardens. The congregations had virtually no say in church matters, apart from electing churchwardens.

However in 1919 Parochial Church Councils were given legal status. Subsequently, there have been various Acts of Parliament, which have laid out the composition, functions, rights & responsibilities of the PCC.

WORK OF THE PCC

The Synodical Government Measure 1969 clearly states: It shall be the duty of the incumbent and the PCC to consult together on matters of general concern and importance in the parish.

It sets out a number of functions for the PCC, one being: Co-operation with the rector in promoting in the parish, the whole mission of the Church – pastoral, evangelistic, social and ecumenical.  (We are all relieved that it is explicitly NOT the PCC’s brief to pronounce on the doctrine of the Church. So no one is going to pontificate on religious teachings.) The Rector & the PCC have particular rights & responsibilities in the daily work of the church; with the emphasis on co-operation.  The PCC is responsible for the maintenance of the church buildings, churchyard and surround: and (with the incumbent) for deciding how the church’s money is spent. The PCC is solely responsible for money; and no others have legal access to these moneys – including the Rector. (The PCC is also formally the employer of any paid workers, like painters etc. who are employed to come for maintenance etc.) The PCC has the right to be consulted about major changes to the forms of worship used in our church, & about the appointment of a new incumbent. The PCC has no authority or rights to stipulate the form of any service.  The PCC is also consulted regarding any pastoral activities, which may affect the parish: our ministry team, one of our members can represent us at the deanery synod, and so forth.  The deanery synod is supposed to link our parish with other parishes & the whole diocese, but this point is debatable.

PCC COMMITTEES

As we are a small village, the PCC does most of the work on its own. There can be exceptions, and certainly larger villages would need sub- committee’s – each would deal with a particular aspect of the parish. Each committee usually has at least one PCC member on it. We have one remote committee, for parish events, namely the Church annual fete; which is out main fund raiser for the year

PRESENT MEMBERS OF THE PCC

In the Parish of UPTON, the deanery of WALLINGFORD &the diocese of OXFORD are available upon enquiry at Church.

BECOME A MEMBER OF THE PCC

Don’t stand still after a service.  However, if you really are interested in serving the community, the PCC is always looking for help. You can contact any of the present committee; who can advise you.

HOW TO CONTACT US

Talk to anyone after Church, contact the Benefice Office in Blewbury 850267, and speak to Dawn.

PRAYER STATION

We have the Church open between about 9:00 am and 3:00 pm, and there is a prayer station there, currently for Thailand, previously Poland, and future our forces overseas.

Austin Maytham

We are very grateful to various organists who help us out from time to time.  We are still trying to find people who would commit to playing for us on a rota basis. Adverts are being placed in the Door as I type this note – so watch this space. If you’d like to join the organ rota please let me know.

Clare Lightfoot 850486