Category: Church

At present, all services, apart from those which are internet based, are still cancelled and the church building continues to be closed. Please check the benefice website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk for details of what we are doing or contact Clare Burgess (347382) if you wish to receive our weekly notice sheet by email.

Benefice Service on Zoom

We will, however, be continuing with our popular internet-based Sunday morning service on Zoom. These Zoom services, which last about 30 minutes, were launched at the end of April as a way of finding alternative ways of worshipping together. The log in time for the service is 9.20am for a
prompt start at 9.30am. Further details and passwords to join can be found on the weekly notice sheets. You can also join us afterwards for a virtual coffee morning.

Benefice Facebook Page

Please remember to have a look at our new Facebook page, and start to follow us on www.facebook.com/bartonbenefice/. You can still look at our Facebook page even if you don’t have a Facebook account.

Keeping In Touch

In these continued times of forced isolation, if you would like to have a regular phone call to stay in touch please contact one of the following. This is in addition to the ‘Spreading Kindness Duns Tew’ initiative (bright yellow sheet).

Our Charities

The Banbury Branch of the Samaritans is our April-June Charity of the Quarter. Even before coronavirus hit, the Samaritans 20,000 volunteers nationally were answering a call for help every six seconds. It is more
important than ever for Samaritans to be there 24/7 for those who need them. If you would like to donate while church services are suspended please make an on line payment to Duns Tew PCC, Sort Code: 30-90-42
(Lloyds) Account No:00096480 reference ‘Sams’, or drop off a cheque payable to Duns Tew PCC to Carol Rigby, Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane.

Christian Aid Week – Although Christian Aid Week was held in May it is not too late to make a donation on-line www.donate.christianaid.org.uk

Polly’s Homeless

After a long break from her usual daily visits to St Mary’s Banbury to help the homeless, Polly has decided after much prayer to go back to her work from 1st June.

If anyone would like to donate suitable clothing, food or cash/cheques (payable to Polly Preedy), please take direct to Polly, or to Clare Burgess, 5 Hill Farm Lane, Duns Tew, OX25 6JH, or phone Clare 01869 347382.
But NO duvets/bedding or winter coats, thank you.

Virtual Duns Tew Church Fete

Although our Fete scheduled for Sunday 21st June has had to be cancelled, we are finding ways to re-create our fete, albeit in a different form. In May we started our virtual fete with a very successful plant sale through our
virtual plant stall and book sale through our re-imagined book stall.

Cakes, Cakes, Cakes

Following on from the success of the plant and book stalls, the PCC are going to run a virtual cake stall in June. We need offers from people to make one cake or biscuits for us, although we appreciate that finding flour is difficult at the moment.

If you can bake a cake or biscuits for us, please email sarahtaylor27.st@gmail.com or phone 340827 by Friday, 5 June.

A list of cakes will then be available from Saturday 6 June on the: church noticeboard, Village website and the WhatsApp group. Please phone Sarah if you would prefer a paper copy.

If you would like to buy one of the cakes on the list , please contact Sarah who will then match you with the baker. She will also deliver to those not venturing far!

Potty Scarecrow Competition

Don’t forget to have your flower pot scarecrow ready and on display for judging between 14th-21st June. We can’t wait to see how inventive you all are! See separate Advert.

Watch this space for other ways we hope to re-create the fete over the summer

Sadly, all services continue to be cancelled for the foreseeable and the church building is also closed. We are, however, finding new ways of worshipping together, so please check the benefice website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk for details or contact Clare Burgess (347382) if you wish to receive our weekly notice sheet by email.

New Benefice Facebook Page

Please have a look at the new Facebook page, and start to follow us on www.facebook.com/bartonbenefice/. We hope to start posting videos shortly. NB: you can still watch Facebook videos online even if you don’t have a Facebook account.

Keeping In Touch

In these continued times of forced isolation, if you would like to have a regular phone call to stay in touch please contact one of the following. This is in addition to the ‘Spreading Kindness Duns Tew’ initiative (bright
yellow sheet).

Our Charities

The Medical Orphan Project, the Jan-March Charity of the Quarter raised £132. The charity has just been asked for next term’s fees, and also wish to send funds to support centres through the coronavirus difficulties,
so the timing of the donation is particularly apt. The continuing support of Duns Tew PCC and the congregation is much appreciated.

The Banbury Branch of the Samaritans is the April-June Charity of the Quarter. Even before coronavirus hit, the Samaritans 20,000 volunteers nationally were answering a call for help every six seconds. It is more
important than ever for Samaritans to be there 24/7 for those who need them. If you would like to donate while church services are suspended please make an on line payment to Duns Tew PCC, Sort Code: 30-90-42
(Lloyds) Account No:00096480 reference ‘Sams’, or drop off a cheque payable to Duns Tew PCC to Carol Rigby, Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane.

Christian Aid Week – instead of the usual door to door collection of red envelopes to support their work around the world during the coronavirus outbreak please visit: www.donate.christianaid.org.uk

Polly – Thank you to everyone who has donated anything to Polly, whether cash or clothes/food. As Polly has an underlying health condition, she took the decision 3 weeks ago to stop going into Banbury every day to help
her homeless/vulnerable friends. She’s really missing them but hopes they will be able to access help through foodbanks etc. Rest assured, she will be back helping them as soon as she feels able. In the meantime, feel free
to collect items for her, but please store them in your own house until the church building is open again. Clare Burgess

Church Fete: As you know, the Fete, scheduled for Sunday 21st June
has had to be cancelled. Even with some relaxation of the current strict lockdown, because of the nature of the coronavirus pandemic, it’s quite possible that events for 400+ people won’t be allowed for some time.
However, depending on government guidelines, we hope that it might still be possible to hold one later in the year, even if on a reduced scale.

While we await more certainty, please have some fun designing and making a Potty Scarecrow (see separate advert), and transforming a tin, bottle or jam jar.

Sadly, in the light of Government guidelines following the coronavirus pandemic all services have been cancelled for the foreseeable future and our usual pattern of Sunday and midweek gatherings put on hold.

Lent Lunches, the Lent Group and the Moonrakers concert scheduled for April have also been cancelled, and it will not be possible to hold the fete in June.

However, unless we are advised otherwise, the church will remain open during daylight hours for private prayer. It will not be possible to clean surfaces, including door handles, so please use your own sanitiser when entering the church, and wash your hands thoroughly on getting home.

For the latest up to date information please see the benefice website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk

We are working hard to find a new way of worshipping together in the coming months and will keep you updated via the website

DATES FOR THE DIARY

CANCELLED – Moonrakers Concert Saturday, 25 April 7.30pm

CANCELLED – CHURCH FETE 2020 Sunday 21st June 2020

Save Our Angels

Many many thanks to everyone who supported the Save Our Angels Coffee Morning on 7th March which raised over £400. To date, we have received a number of very generous donations, bringing the total raised to £4500 including gift aid.

This means that we have already raised 30% of what is needed. Sadly, with the current restrictions on gatherings it means we cannot organise any fundraising events in the immediate future. However, if you would like to buy the notecards that are on sale for the appeal (£5 for a pack of 10) please email dunstewpcc@gmail.com. They come in eight different designs and are great for keeping in touch with people. If you would still like to donate please go to JustGiving.com and search on Duns Tew PCC Stained Glass Window.

Our Charities

Charity of the Quarter

Our charity for the quarter (April, May, June) is the Banbury Branch of the Samaritans. The Samaritans receive 600 calls nationally every hour from people who are struggling to cope with life. More information can be found at www.samaritans.org. If you would like to donate while services are suspended please either drop off an envelope with Steph Lacey at 34 Duns Tew, or with Carol Rigby at Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane, marked ‘Sams’. Alternatively give Carol a call on 340632 or email her nonesuchcarol@gmail.com to sort out how to make an online payment.

Polly

Thank you to all those who have already responded to my call for tinned foods for all the vulnerable people Polly helps. She says ‘a million thanks’. If you can donate any of the following, Polly would be very grateful: tinned items (especially with ring-pulls) e.g. meat, evaporated milk, soup, spaghetti in sauce, baked beans, plus biscuits. Either leave the food in church or drop off at 5 Hill Farm Lane in the red box by the front door. Alternatively, if you would like to make a donation please put through the letterbox at No 5, in an envelope marked ‘Polly’. Thank you for your continued support for Polly and her work in Banbury. Clare tel: 347382

SPRING CLEAR-OUT?

We can turn your unwanted clothing into cash for the church building. All cash raised will go towards maintaining our village church. Bring any unwanted clothing/accessories/shoes/sheets to the church. The church is open during the day. Items must be clean, free of stains, in other words, saleable. Clothes are sold on to market traders in various different countries.

If you prefer your unwanted items to go to Polly’s homeless and needy people, please just label the bag “Polly”, so we know. Thank you in advance. Clare Burgess 347382

Services given below are all in Duns Tew, unless stated otherwise. Details of all Duns Tew services and church activities can be found at www.dunstew.com under the church tab or at www.bartonbenefice.org.uk which also includes details of all services in the benefice.

Lent

The Lent book chosen for this year will be ‘Let Me Go There (The Spirit of Lent)’ by Paula Gooder. You can order your own copy at £7.44 from Amazon.

A number of lent study groups and lent lunches will be taking place during March and April. Information on lent groups can be found on the weekly notice or on the benefice website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk. Lent Study Groups will be held between 8pm-9pm on the following dates; Wednesday
4March, Tuesday 10 March, Thursday 19 March, Friday 27 March, Wednesday 1 April. The first meeting will be at the Rectory, other venues tbc.

Lent Lunches will be held on the following dates, between 12.30pm-2pm, (please check benefice website or weekly church notice sheets for further details);

• Thursday 5th March in Duns Tew (Speaker Kate Wait for Samaritans). Venue – 2 Longfield, Duns Tew
• Thursday 12th March in Steeple Barton (Speaker Nick Westbury for Bloxham Boys’ Brigade). Venue – Church Farm, Steeple Barton.
• Wednesday 18th March in Over Worton/Nether Worton (Charlie Barwell for Middle Barton School). Venue – The Grange, Over Worton.
• Thursday 26th March in Westcote Barton (Speaker tbc for Seesaw) Venue – Alice Marshall Hall.
• Thursday 2nd April in Sandford St Martin (Speaker Jill Edge for The Sunshine Centre, Banbury). Venue – The Parish Hall.

‘Save Our Angels’

Over the years the stained-glass windows in the church have taken some battering since their installation in the 1860s. They have not only accumulated dirt but some of the beautiful paintwork has faded, glass has cracked and the grilles protecting the east window have deteriorated to the extent that they are compromising the integrity of the stained-glass and the surrounding stonework. The work required to restore the windows is highly skilled and therefore, for example, to re-paint one face of an angel using the latest approved conservation techniques will cost around £250. We are therefore launching a new exciting “Save Our Angels” fundraising campaign which aims to raise £15,000 through grants and donations towards the repair and restoration of the stained-glass windows in the
church.

The “Save Our Angels” campaign will be formally launched at the coffee morning on Saturday 7th March (10.30pm-12.30pm) in the village hall. On that day we will have displays and information on the history of the windows (they were designed and manufactured by the leading firms of their day who were also involved in the design and production of stained-glass in the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey) and also on what we are trying to do to restore them. Hopefully you will be able to pop by the village hall to have a look and may be even help us with some ideas for fundraising.

Churchyard Tidy-Ups

Easter is often a time when people come to visit our churchyard. This spring we will be carrying out churchyard tidy-ups over two Saturdays; 14th March and 28th March, both at 10am. We rely on volunteers to look after our churchyard and make it the peaceful and beautiful place that it is, so please do come along and give us a hand.

THIS MONTH’S DATES FOR THE DIARY

Friday, 6th March, The Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held in the church starting at 7pm. This year the service has been prepared by the women of Zimbabwe.

Saturday, 7th March, ‘Save Our Angels’ Coffee Morning in the village hall from 10.30am to 12.30pm – Come and find out about the history of the stained-glass windows in the church and what links them to such diverse locations as the Houses of Parliament and Westminster Abbey. Also learn what urgently needs to be done to preserve them.

Saturday, 14th March, Churchyard Tidy-Up at 10am.

Sunday, 15th March, Annual Parish Church Meeting (APCM) This year’s APCM will be held in the church at approximately 10.45am, following the 9.30am Family@Church Service.

Saturday, 28th March, Churchyard Tidy-Up at 10am.

FUTURE DATES FOR THE DIARY

Saturday, 25th April 7.30pm , Moonrakers Concert in the church – the Oxford based group of four musicians are again bringing traditional and contemporary folk music to Duns Tew. More details next month. Tickets £12 from Clare Burgess (347382) or clarebugress@gmail.com

CHURCH FETE 2020

The Fete will be held in the Manor Gardens on Sunday 21st June 2020, 1-4pm. Please put the date in your diaries and start saving any unwanted books, bric-a-brac and plants for sale at the fete. More details will follow. If you have any ideas for new stalls, or would like to run a stall, please let me know. Thank you. Clare Burgess 347382, or email: clarebugress@gmail.com (please note the spelling).

Thank you once again to Gavin and Fiona McAlpine for hosting this important village event.

Our Charities

Charity of the Quarter

Our charity for the quarter (January, February, March) is TZABA’s Medical/Orphan Project (MOP). This charity supports a small number of orphaned children in a dilapidated diocesan orphanage by paying their school fees and, now that life is so difficult in Zimbabwe, sending funds for basic foodstuffs and so on. Monies (if available) are also sent to a larger ‘family’ centre in Harare itself, which works wonders with almost nothing, helping young people and their families cope with their education and life plans. With unemployment rampant, food scarce, and a government which shamelessly appropriates any money it can from personal bank accounts, our support is badly needed, particularly at this time. Please give generously – the charity plate is available for donations at the end of each service. If you wish to donate at any other time please place money in an envelope marked TZABA and give to Carol Rigby (Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane). Further information about the work of TZABA can be found at www.tzaba.org. or contact Jo Barton on 07929143519.

Polly

As always you can leave in-date food donations, or shampoo/toothpaste etc, in the basket in church for Polly. Thank you to everyone who supports Polly’s work with the homeless. Clare Burgess 347382

SPRING CLEAR-OUT?

We can turn your unwanted clothing into cash for the church building. All cash raised will go towards maintaining our village church.

Bring any unwanted clothing/accessories/shoes/sheets to the church. The church is open during the day. Items must be clean, free of stains, in other words, saleable. Clothes are sold on to market traders in various different countries.

If you prefer your unwanted items to go to Polly’s homeless and needy people, please just label the bag “Polly”, so we know. Thank you in advance. Clare Burgess 347382

Services given below are all in Duns Tew, unless stated otherwise. Details of all Duns Tew services and church activities can be here https://dunstew.com/church/, or www.bartonbenefice.org.uk for all services in the benefice.

Dates for the Diary

Friday, 6 March The Women’s World Day of Prayer will be held in the church starting at 7pm. This year the service has been prepared by the women of Zimbabwe.

Saturday 7th March from 10.30am to 12.30pm Coffee Morning in Village Hall – Come and find out about the history of the stained-glass windows in the church and what links them to such diverse locations as the Houses of Parliament and the University of Sydney, Australia. Also learn what urgently needs to be done to preserve them.

Saturday, 25 April 7.30pm – Moonrakers Concert in the church – the Oxford based group of four musicians are again bringing traditional and contemporary folk music to Duns Tew. More details next month. Tickets £12 from Clare Burgess (01869 347382) or clarebugress@gmail.com

Our Charities

Charity of the Quarter

Our charity for the quarter (January, February, March) is TZABA’s Medical/Orphan Project (MOP). This charity supports a small number of orphaned children in a dilapidated diocesan orphanage by paying their school fees and, now that life is so difficult in Zimbabwe, sending funds for basic foodstuffs and so on. Monies (if available) are also sent to a larger ‘family’ centre in Harare itself, which works wonders with almost nothing, helping young people and their families cope with their education and life plans.

With unemployment rampant, food scarce, and a government which shamelessly appropriates any money it can from personal bank accounts, our support is badly needed, particularly at this time.

Please give generously – the charity plate is available for donations at the end of each service. If you wish to donate at any other time please place money in an envelope marked TZABA and give to Carol Rigby (Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane).

Further information about the work of TZABA can be found at www.tzaba.org or contact Jo Barton on 07929 143519.

Polly

As always you can leave in-date food donations, or shampoo/toothpaste etc, in the basket in church for Polly. Thank you to everyone who supports Polly’s work with the homeless. Clare Burgess 01869 347382

HAVING A POST-CHRISTMAS TURN-OUT?

We can turn your unwanted clothing into cash for the church building. All cash raised will go towards maintaining our village church.

Bring any unwanted clothing/accessories/shoes/sheets to the church. The church is open during the day. Items must be clean, free of stains, in other words, saleable. Clothes are sold on to market traders in various different countries.

If you prefer your unwanted items to go to Polly’s homeless and needy people, please just label the bag “Polly”, so we know. Thank you in advance. Clare Burgess 01869 347382