Church Life
Sunday Services
10.00am Morning Service with all age Junior Church.
6.00pm Evening Service
Regular Activities
Sunday 10.00 am Morning Service (with all age Junior Church)
6.00 pm Evening Service
Monday 9.15 am Keep Fit
1.30 pm Mother and Baby Group
2.15 pm House Group
Tuesday 10.00 am Coffee and Chat
7.00 pm Keep Fit
Wednesday 10.00 am Banner Making (1st & 3rd of each month)
6.00 pm Holy Communion
Thursday 7.30pm Bible Study (fortnightly)
7.30 pm Craft Circle
7.45 pm Jubilate
Friday 10.00 am Coffee and Chat
Saturday 8.15am Fellowship Breakfast (quarterly)
The Church Council Away Day
Saturday 16th February 2008
Wednesday Evening Communion
Wednesday evening at 6.00pm at Christchurch is a time of quiet, thoughtful worship as a small, regular group of worshippers gather to celebrate Holy Communion. We follow the Communion patterns of different Christian traditions, but the constant feature of our Wednesday worship is its peaceful nature. Whether you are a regular worshipper or an infrequent attender, you are welcome to join us at this feast of forgiveness and reconciliation.
Les Mather
The Life of the Church.
Click on area of interest
Toddlers
Junior Church
Keep Fit
Walkers & Strollers
Tea@3
Praise and Worship, challenging Preaching and Teaching are very important to us. A twice-monthly Holy Communion is held on a Sunday and every Wednesday. We have a regular organist and a music group of around 15 members including piano, 2 flutes, clarinet, guitar and occasional percussion. Books are available for Hymns & Psalms and the combined version of Mission Praise, although we have now invested in the music editions of ‘The Source’ worship book for which we use the overhead projector. We hold a Church Copyright Licence and a Music Reproduction Licence so that all music is available to us, and the software package 'Hymnquest' with over 19,000 hymns and songs available.
Christchurch is registered as a place for worship and marriages for Free Churches and licensed for Anglican marriages and services.
Pastoral care is exercised through Pastoral Visitors in partnership with the Minister.
Prayer is always a part of our Sunday Worship, however between each Sunday many things arise which need urgent prayer. A prayer chain was formed in order to help people in crisis situations. Not only our own church family, but anyone with a concern. The prayer chain has proved its worth and many people have been brought to our Heavenly Father with a sure knowledge that he will meet their needs. Many have expressed their appreciation and confirmed the value of specific prayer in time of need.
There is a wide range of activities to which non-Christians can be invited such as skittles evenings, Barn Dances, Suppers, and a regular monthly ramble in the Cotswold countryside. The ramble of about 4 miles is led on a Saturday morning finishing with a pub Lunch in winter and a picnic in summer. The walk usually starts less than 30 minutes drive from Church, where we gather, and attracts between 10 and 20 folk of all ages.
We publish a monthly news magazine called the ‘Christchurch Chronicle’.
A willing army of volunteers is always available to act as Stewards, cleaners, Flower arrangers and lesson readers.
Christchurch seeks to represent the Body of Christ in Abbeydale and Abbeymead by its caring and love shown for those within the Church family and for the whole community. With the wide range of Christian backgrounds and experiences the Church recognises the need to explore the development of both contemporary and traditional worship. Our Mission Statement is “Christchurch endeavours to meet emotional, physical and spiritual need by reflecting God’s love, shown in Jesus Christ, in the community.”
Fellowship Breakfast
There is a Fellowship Breakfast every quarter, beginning at 8.15am. We spend time together in prayer, followed by sharing breakfast together. At our first meeting, 14 people turned up, a really encouraging number.
The next one will be a Day of Prayer on Saturday 19 July. Beginning with breakfast at 8.30am, we will begin the Day of Prayer at 9.00am, led by our minister, Les, and will continue until 3.00pm. This is a 'come and go' day, so don't think you have to stay all day (although you would be welcome to)! Come once, come twice, stay for a little while or stay for longer - pray is a key that unlocks so much in individual lives and in the corporate life of the church. If you would like to know more then please speak to Les, Val or Maureen.
Junior Church
The Junior Church group is for school children aged four to eleven and meets during the Sunday morning services. The two leaders are assisted by a number of helpers who join us on a rota basis. The sessions are centred around the Children's Ministry material which covers a good range of stories and themes from both the Old and New Testaments. As well as studying Bible passages, we have games, quizzes, drama, craft activities and occasionally singing. The children also like to take part in the all-age addresses in church and on a few occasions during the year they help to lead the services. A trip to the pantomime in Cheltenham has become an annual event for the group.
We currently have six group members, four of whom attend very regularly. New recruits would be most welcome!
Pauline Evans and John Flemons
The Core
The Core meet on Sundays during the morning service and is for young people who are at Senior School. The group at present has 8 members; the age’s range from 11-14 yrs and average weekly attendance is 5. A male adult from the congregation supports us each week so that we comply with our policy of working with young people. We use material produced by CPAS that aims to give a clear understanding of basic Christian truths which we hope will help our young people to grow in their understanding of the Christian faith and deepen their relationship with God.
Opportunity and encouragement is given for the young people to receive daily Bible reading notes, YPs for teenagers and One-Up for those younger.
During the year, along with Junior Church we have helped lead worship for Harvest, Christmas and Mothering Sunday. We also meet for social activities and have enjoyed: a walk led for us by Max White; a sponsored walk raising money for The Children’s Centre at Gloucester Royal Hospital; an afternoon of fun on a Bouncy Castle; three days camping at the Greenbelt Christian Arts Festival in Cheltenham; a visit to the Ski Centre to hire Ringo’s and a relaxed evening with food and fun. These times together are great fun but also very important in building trust and strengthening friendships within the group. As a church we are ‘blessed’ to have these lovely young people.
Sadly, we recently said farewell to Pat Dettmer as leader of the Core, who stepped down after 9 years of outstanding service to our young people. The Core had a great party at Pat's home between Christmas and New Year. We now look forward to the new Core leadership team of Val Stephens, Mike & Glynis Thomas and Vivienne Woodcock together with Steve Tranter caring for our senior young people and helping them to grow spiritually.
Les Mather
We began our journey with the group on 17 February. We have only had 7 sessions so far, but really enjoy the time spent together. A good start was made with the World Vision fast which gave us material to work with and explore the lives and struggles of young people in Chennai, India (see Chronicle article - April ‘08). Whenever we can we will encourage participation in projects such as this, as it provides learning and Christian action.
Mike and Glynis Thomas
A Report from ‘The Core’
It has been some time since we've had a social get together, but on Sunday 15th April we had lunch together and then walked up to The Ski Centre for a session on the Ringos. It was a really warm afternoon so even after the walk everyone was feeling quite uncomfortable. You have to wear long trousers, long sleeves and gloves and so the fun of coming down the slope on the ringo is soon replaced with exhaustion from dragging it back up to the top again. Nevertheless all had a good time, and even two Mums who arrived early were able to join in the fun.
CRECHE
This is available every Sunday morning for children up to the age of 4 years. At present we only have two regular attendees, one of whom we shall lose in September when he moves up to Junior Church. We need to work harder to encourage more youngsters in, which means somehow targeting their parents.
There is a dedicated group of ladies who divide their time between crèche and junior church and I’d like to extend my grateful thanks to them all for their help and hard work.
Carol Terry.
Bible Study/House Groups
MONDAY AFTERNOON
We have had a mixture of topics this year. We have studied the Parables, The Beatitudes, Old Testament Characters, and Ephesians. During Lent we did a six week study on the Glory of God which we found very enlightening. We have just started New Testament characters, after which we hope to do a course of study on the prayers in the Bible.
We vary in number from week to week with usually 5 or 6 people at any one time. We have been meeting as a house group in Rumsey Close, but we now meet in the back room of the church. We would welcome anyone who feels that they would like to join us. A lot of interesting discussions have taken place and I hope that we have all grown in our faith and our understanding of God's word. A lot of prayers have been answered, as we pray together, for each other, after the study time each week.
Val Stephens
THURSDAY EVENING
The housegroup meets fortnightly on a Thursday evening and at present has six members.
The group started under the leadership of Rev Bill Rogers, initially studying the book of Ephesians. After some interesting sessions from Bill, we took over the running of the group ourselves and at present are studying the book of James.
The group has gelled well as we have got to know one another better and for those who prefer an evening group, new members would be warmly welcomed.
Sam Sims
Report on Jubilate.
Jubilate is led by Joyce Wheatly who continues to lead from the piano. We rehearse every Thursday evening and share leading the worship at Christchurch on the fourth Sunday morning and second Sunday evening each month. We commence praise and worship fifteen minutes before each service.
Since the arrival of our new Minister, Les Mather, we have been given a new name ‘Jubilate’. It is one of many suggested in a competition amongst the members of Christchurch and made Val Doll the winner. We are gradually getting used to it!
At Christmas the Group enjoyed rehearsing and singing the musical ‘Stargazers’ which inspired four people to come along and sing with us – Sue Rogers, Babs Humphries, and two teenagers, William Apperley and Samantha Hill. We were delighted to welcome them and especially pleased when all four decided to stay on and become members of the Group.
In addition to our commitment to Christchurch we continue to minister at HM Prison, Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and once a year we take the morning service at Lydney URC. Two ladies have written to me from Lydney and I quote from their letters to give you an idea of our reception there. Joan Davies writes ‘We always look forward to a visit from the Christchurch Worship Group. They are enthusiastic, happy and committed. The worship songs that they start with are uplifting and prepare our hearts.’ Another lady, Monnica Bond, writes, ‘We look forward to their annual visit. No longer strangers but friends. The hymns and songs are a mix of old and new but all have a powerful message. We are truly blessed by their singing, playing and God’s message which comes from a varied mix of speakers. May God continue to bless the Worship Group as they continue to do his work.’ (Thank you to Joan and Monnica)
I would like to take this opportunity to invite anyone who has a heart to serve the Lord through the avenue of ‘Jubilate’ either by playing an instrument or singing to contact me. I would be delighted to hear from you!
Psalm 95 vs 1 and 2.
Come let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. Let us come before Him with thanksgiving and extol Him with music and songs.
Praise His Name for ever.
Joyce Wheatly
Keep Fit every Tuesday.
In spite of saying good bye to a few regulars, it’s been another successful year as we welcomed five new ladies to our group. Of these, two are members of the church while the remaining three have come via word of mouth, one of whom is now regularly attending Sunday morning worship.
I am pleased to report that these classes have also been a help to a few people who are dealing with difficulties in their private lives. A problem shared is a problem halved, as one lady put it to me recently, and while working out for an hour they are able to forget their problems for a while. To me, that is a very gratifying feeling.
Sadly our two “brave” gentlemen had to drop out during this last year but we remain hopeful that this is only temporary as we miss them!
Finally, my grateful thanks to everyone attending the classes for their generous donations each week to the church charities.
Carol Terry.
Prayer Triplets
Four prayer triplet groups have continued over the past year. The feedback from the groups is very encouraging. Groups meets when they can, sometimes weekly, sometimes less frequently. Everyone I have spoken to who is in a group has said how much they have benefited from the prayer times that they have. Each group has its own style of praying but the whole idea is that we pray in a way that we as individuals feel comfortable with. Many prayers have been answered and friendships developed and deepened. As the church grows more groups are always needed. If you feel you would like to be a part of the prayer triplet life of the church then please speak to Maureen or Val.
Prayer is such a vital tool for any church and ours in particular as we enter a time of transition to a new minister. The call to pray without ceasing is for all believers. This is an area of church life that can be strengthened and improved upon in the coming year. Please give this your prayerful consideration.There are currently five Prayer Triplets meeting each week. It may be that there are other people in the church who would like to meet for prayer in this way with one or two others, at a time and place decided by themselves, and with guidance about prayer topics if required. If you feel that God is speaking to you about this then please have a word with Val Stephens.
Kath Barber, Joan Perkins and Mavis Wood meet regularly as one of the group of Prayer Triplets at Christchurch. The basis of our meeting together is Jesus’ assurance that "...where two or three are gathered in my name there am I in the midst of them" (Matthew 18:20).
But what is prayer? Together we seek to share and reflect on some of the happenings in the world today. We have no format - no agenda - we sometimes have newspaper cuttings, articles from magazines. Our ‘talking’ with God often means using silence rather than words, to share with God world-wide needs, as well as each other’s personal concerns. The World Council of Churches book, with its brief overview of the countries of the world we have found particularly helpful (population, literacy, political stance, religion spread). We think that the following verses encapsulate what we think our prayer should be.
What do you think?
Don't need any words you can't define,
Don't need a special voice you keep reserved just for me
Don't even have to close your eyes ; Just talk to me.
Don't need to wait until you’re hopeless
Don't need a particular reason to call
Don't need to fake your holiness; Just talk to me.
Don’t worry that you don't love me enough
Don't need to do anything special
Don't pretend you’re someone or something that you're not; Just talk to me.
Don’t need some formal speech about all the social and theological issues of the day
Don't be afraid I won't listen
Don't use lots of fancy phrases you heard some preacher say; Just talk to me.
Don't worry about feeling terribly confident
Don't try to change the world
Don't think yourself too bad or too good to do this; Just talk to me.
Don't confuse me with your father
Don't put that kind of pressure on him or yourself
Don't try to get away from the point of who I am; Just talk to me.
Don't try to impress me
Don't try to hide anything
Don't concern yourself about whether you're wasting my time with trivialities;
Just talk to me.
Don't think anything is too insignificant to bring up
Don't worry if you cry
Don't worry if you can't; Just talk to me.
Don't be afraid
Don't be unnatural
Don't be anything you don't want to be; Just talk to me.
Don't hesitate to shout if you feel like it
Don't hesitate to rant
Don' t pretend; Just talk to me.
Don't forget to laugh with me
Don't forget that I'm the one who started all this
Don't forget I already know what you're going to say; Just talk to me.
Don't worry about what I might say or think about you
Don't be concerned if you lose your train of thought
Don't be surprised if I talk back; Just talk to me.
Don't forget to listen
Don't forget I care more than you can possibly imagine
Don't worry about the silence. Just talk to me. Just talk to me Just talk to me.
Bill Colclough Devon Community
The above is just part of A REFLECTION ON PRAYER reproduced from a leaflet from the Lee Abbey Christian Community.
Mother (Father, carer) & Baby Group
Our Mother & Baby Group still meets regularly at 1.30pm on Monday afternoons and has 15 - 20 mothers (fathers and grandmothers too!), who attend week by week. Some have moved on as their children have reached school age, some have remained with their younger children but leave a little early to meet the older ones from school, whilst new members have joined us during the year. At the beginning of the year numbers rose to a level where more help was needed and we welcomed Margaret Bishop, a member at St Oswald's, to our ranks. Several of the older children left us in September for playgroups or school and numbers have returned to the normal average. The play is noisy but happy as the youngsters enjoy themselves whilst their carers enjoy a welcome "cuppa" and a biscuit. The Katie "singalong" retains its popularity and brings the afternoon sessions to a close around 3.00pm. Our Christmas party was enjoyed by the 27 children and 22 adults who attended. Father Christmas came once again, loaded with a present for each child and was very well received! Many thanks again to our regular helpers, Ella Barker, Margaret Bishop and Judy Potts for their support throughout the year. If anyone would care to call in on a Monday afternoon to see what goes on and join in the fun you would be made most welcome.
Kath Barber
Coffee and Chat. (Tuesday)
First of all we must thank Pat Dettmer for 17 years of faithful service to the coffee morning. Some changes have been made since Pat gave up and we now have a rota system kindly drawn up by Sue Adlam. We now have Sue and Paul Adlam, Carol Terry, Jenny Brewer, Babs Humphries, Val Bolton and myself. Numbers vary as usual – as many as 26 one week and 6 another. It is still a time of chat and laughter! We also make a contribution to Tear Fund and Christian Aid of an average of £22 per month.
Margaret Lyons
Coffee and Chat (Friday)
We continue our Coffee Mornings on a Friday from l0am - l2noon with the same faithful team as in previous years and varying numbers attending each week. A request for more help in our report a year ago was unsuccessful and we would still welcome any offers of help. Many thanks to those who have helped during the past year.
Judy Potts.
(Christchurch Walkers and Strollers ...........with a few OWLS Older With Less Speed)
It is almost four years since the CWS was formed & led by Vic Dowdeswell
You are invited to join us on our monthly walks.
Meet at Christchurch Car Park at 9-20am.
Lifts are available for those without transport.
You are invited to join us on our monthly walk, generally the second Saturday in the month. Meet at Christchurch Car Park at 9-20am. Lifts are available for those without transport.
2007
April Twelve walkers set off from Witcombe Roman Villa car park, across reservoirs to Great Witcombe Church. They climbed up to the Cotswold Way in light winds and with blue skies. Pub lunch was taken at the twelve Bells.
May Seven walkers were at Randwick where they walked for 4.5 miles through bluebell woods. A picnic lunch was had at the Vine tree Inn and the Medieval Wap festival was enjoyed: a very successful walk.
June Six walkers set off from Winchcombe passing through Belas Knap and returning via Postlip Mills along the river Isbourne. A picnic was enjoyed on top of a 4,500 year old iron age long barrow in sunshine with skylarks singing.
July The walkers started a six mile walk from Much Marcle, visiting the Western Cider factory and shop. They herded sheep back to their field and had a picnic on Marcle Ridge. They witnessed a wedding at Much Marcle church.
August Seven walkers met at Malvern south and walked to Castle Morton Common, Hangman’s Hill and the Gullet. A visit was made to Eastnor obelisk and a picnic lunch was taken on this hot, sunny day.
September No walk as no one could make it.
October Eight walkers set off from Five Mile House at Duntisbourne Abbots and Leer, returning via Winstone for a pub lunch.
November Eight people joined this walk from Cranham to Sheepscombe. It included Ebworth Centre, Overtown, and Cranham Woods, where they enjoyed kicking the leaves. Pub lunch was taken at the Black Horse.
December Walk cancelled due to high winds and heavy rain.
Christmas Walk Eight walkers set off from church to walk up Coopers Hill. They followed the Cotswold Way to the Royal William for lunch, returning via Painswick Beacon, Watery Lane and across fields in Upton St. Leonards, arriving back at the church at 3.30pm in the dry.
2008
January The walkers started at Seven Springs car park and led to Hartley Hill and Leckhampton Hill. The return route passed a golf course where they walked in four inches of snow which had frozen overnight. A pub lunch was had at Seven Springs.
FebruaryThe walk started at Kilkenny picnic area car park and went to Pegglesworth home farm, Ravens Gate Hill and past Castle Barn Farm on the Cotswold Way. Pub lunch was at the Mill, Withington.
March Six walkers set off from the Five Mile House pub and followed tracks to a hidden valley and Cotswold park and Woodmancote. They returned along Burcombe Lane and Halfpenny Hill in dry weather.
Walking is one of the best ways to lose weight and feel healthy. Quite simply if you make no changes to your lifestyle except walking more, you can still lose weight. The British Heart Foundation has always recommended walking as an excellent form of exercise. Brisk, regular walking is the ideal way for people to get the exercise they need to benefit their health.
If you walked for 45 minutes a day with no lifestyle changes, you could lose 18 lbs in a year.
If you walked at 4.5 mph you would use the same amount of energy as you would running the same distance.
Now here’s something to ponder - one minute of walking can extend your life by up to two minutes! (I got that from a book)
Vic Dowdeswell
Library
Christchurch Mobile Library (It’s on wheels)
Have books, will travel...
Books, DVDs, Tapes, Cds
Can’t find a book in the library?
Then advertise on this library page to borrow or buy.
Books for teenagers wanted!
Mary McNamara
The BookTrolley is laden with books and Mary McNamara has been keen to be able to display some of them in a more visible way. And now she is able to, thanks to John Flemons and John Jones. John (F) designed the prototype and John (J) scaled it up and we now have attractive wooden display shelving. Cast your eyes to the left as you leave the worship area and see the books on display. Better still, take time to browse and perhaps borrow one from the extensive range.
If you have read one of the books from the library and would like to share your thoughts on it we would be delighted to hear from you.
Mavis Wood
Banner Group
The Psalms speak of the Lord raising a Banner for His people (60:4)
The Banner Group is now in its 6th year and so far this year we have spent our time on repairs and alterations to existing banners. We invited our Minister (Les) to join us and he gave us some ideas and suggestions to think about for new banners, which we hope to be starting on very soon.
We usually meet twice a month on Wednesday mornings 10 - 12, so if you feel this is something you would like to be involved in please come along.
Our time together starts with a short prayer/quiet time to focus on the Lord’s work. Then we have coffee, and chat about what we are going to do next. We are a small group of 4 ladies, so if you feel you would like to join us – please do.
Sue Adlam
Church Flowers
Many thanks to everyone who has given donations for the church flowers for the past year. Thanks also to the ladies who deliver them on Mondays to the sick and housebound. Many people keep us supplied with foliage and we are grateful for that.
We have a good arranging team now :- Barbara Dennis, Judy Potts, Ella Wakeman and Jean Murray. I give them my grateful thanks for their support and help. We all enjoy our job and hope it gives pleasure to members of the church. At the moment we need donations for July and August. If anyone would like to make a donation, please put your name on the rota board – thank you!
Greta Knowles
THE CRAFT CIRCLE
We meet each Thursday from 7.30pm – 9pm. Our members have gone down to five. One of our most prolific knitters moved to Scotland and she is greatly missed. We also have others who knit for us but don’t meet with us.
This year we have sent three dustbin bags almost full of jumpers, blankets, hats and mittens to ‘Feed the Children’, six baby blankets to the ‘Prem’ unit at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and blankets, hats and mittens to Brockworth House.
Margaret Lyons
Tea @ Three
Tea @ 3 meets once a month at Christchurch Abbeydale on a Saturday afternoon at 3.00 p.m.
The afternoon starts with refreshments followed by a speaker or entertainment, finishing 4.15 - 4.30 p.m.
A warm welcome is offered to anyone who wishes to join us and would like the opportunity to meet and talk with new friends.
T @ 3 has seen another successful year with a progressive increase in attendance and has provided an outreach into the community with a varied programme month by month. We have had speakers on a variety of subjects ranging from Rivers of Gloucestershire, to a musical afternoon with Edvard Greig, a quiz, slide shows, and a "Beetle Drive". The year ended with a visit from the "Motley Crew" puppets giving us a seasonal message for our Christmas afternoon, rounded off with Christmas cake, mince pies and tea. Everyone is invited to come and join us where there is an opportunity to meet with folks from the neighbourhood who otherwise have little, if any, contact with the church. You would be made very welcome, why not come along. Finally, thanks to Val Doll, Margaret Lyons and Judy Potts who provided invaluable help in planning and running the sessions with a special "thank you" to Margaret Lyons who stepped down during the year but still attends whenever she is able.
This is the message I received from my sister-in-law, who will be doing the talk for tea @ 3 on 12th of July, I asked her to send me a briefing as to what she would be talking about ---- She is a very well informed lady and will I'm sure give us an amusing but thought provoking talk Jean Murray
"HOPE IN THE FACE OF DESPAIR"
"From the depths of my despair I cry to you O Lord………..I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope" Psalm 130
So often circumstances arise – illness, unemployment, financial loss, physical and mental abuse, drug and alcohol addiction, death – as a result of which you sink into despair.
Umlazi Hospice Chairperson wrote in her Annual Report :-
"Hope is truly a powerful source that is activated through ones attitude.
We strongly believe that God is positive and He wants positive things to
happen to us. It is for us to open our hearts and have faith in Him"
"But I will bless the person who puts his trust in Me" Jeremiah 17:7
Lesley van Zyl, General Manager of the Highway Hospice, Durban, South Africa will share the true story of a "Child Headed" household. Their anguish, despair, sadness, anger and daily battle for survival in a hostile environment. Yet in the face of unbelievable challenges their resilience, faith and hope has carried them through with the knowledge that the hospice will walk beside them.
Lesley will briefly describe how Memory Work, Hero Books and Bereavement Counselling have helped the 500 Orphans and other Vulnerable Children (OVCs) in their care.
"When hope is crushed, the heart is crushed, but a wish come true, fills you with joy" Proverbs 13:12
The programme for the next few months of 2008 is shown below.
July 12th "Hope" Mrs Lesley VanZyl
August 16th "Afternoon Tea"
Further meetings in 2008 are scheduled for:-
20th September 18th October 15th November 13th December
For further information
telephone Kath or David Barber on 616034
Network
2008 was a special year as we celebrated the 20th Anniversary of Network. Our District 'Party' took place in Bristol at Longwell Green Methodist/Anglican church in June and the circuit celebrated at Quedgeley Methodist Church in October. Our Cake Stalls continued on the 4th Friday of the month at St John's and we hosted the Spring Cream Teas in March.
The Easter Offering Dedication Service took place at St Luke's as we had learned that the church would be closing early in 2009. Many thanks to all those who supported Network during the past year.
Judy Potts
Mothers' Union
Our meetings with St Leonard's and St Oswald's continue on the 2nd Thursday in the month for Holy Communion and the 3rd Thursday for any afternoon meeting both are held at St Leonard's. We had a special lunch in May when we remembered Dolce Bone who had been a member for many years and had died the previous year. We have been holding a Lady Day Service on or near 25th March for some years now and last year we were pleased to be able to attend the Diocesan Service in Tewkesbury Abbey which included the induction of Margaret Edwards as Diocesan President. The annual Diocesan Advent Carol Service was held as usual at St Oswald's and we were pleased to welcome the Jigsaw Choir who replaced the Chantry Choir which had disbanded earlier in the year. New members are always welcome.
For further details contact: Judy Potts Tel. 552601 (Christchurch Abbeydale)
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