Thank you to everyone who donated or bought plants in aid of Duns Tew church last week. We hope you enjoyed planting up your gardens!
We made a magnificent £550, thanks to your support and generosity. This will go a long way in making up the shortfall in fundraising caused by the lockdown.
Thank you again, Clare Burgess & Jon Blows, Churchwardens, and Carol Rigby, Treasurer.
We have been amazed at the response to our offer of plants. Thank you all so much.
We nearly sold out today, but please see our Updated Plant List below, as we have today received a few extras.
At this rate there won’t be anything to left to sell on Saturday!Thank you once again for your support, both in donating plants and buying them.
Clare Burgess & Carol Rigby
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.
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.
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).
| Rev’d Jane Wright 340510 | Clare Burgess 347382 | Sarah Taylor 340827 |
| Steph Lacey 347340 | Maria Coonick 340826 | Joan Cull 349861 |
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
CANCELLED – Moonrakers Concert Saturday, 25 April 7.30pm
CANCELLED – CHURCH FETE 2020 Sunday 21st June 2020
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 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.
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
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.
| 01.03.2020 | 17:00 | Evening Worship at Steeple Barton church |
| 06.03.2020 | 19:00 | Women’s World Day of Prayer |
| 08.03.2020 | 11:00 | Morning Worship |
| 15.03.2020 | 09:00 09:30 ~10:45 | Family @Church Breakfast Service (Jo Barton will be speaking about TZABA’s Medical Orphans Project in Zimbabwe – see charities section) Annual Parish Church Meeting (APCM) |
| 22.03.2020 | 10:00 | Mothering Sunday at Steeple Barton church |
| 25.03.2020 | 10:30 | Holy Communion at Bon Accord, Middle Barton Road |
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);
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.
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.
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.
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
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 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.
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
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.
| 02.02.2020 | 09:30 | Benefice Candlemas Service with Choir at Westcote Barton |
| 02.02.2020 | 17:00 | Benefice Evening Service in Duns Tew |
| 09.02.2020 | 11:00 | Morning Worship |
| 16.02.2020 | 09:00 Breakfast 09:30 Service | Family @church Breakfast Service |
| 23.02.2020 | 11:00 | Eucharist, refreshments afterwards |
| 26.02.2020 | 12:00 | Ash Wednesday Service |
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 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.
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
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
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.
| 05.01.2020 | 17:00 at Steeple Barton | Benefice Evening Service |
| 12.01.2020 | 11:00 | Morning Worship |
| 19.01.2020 | 09:00 Breakfast 09:30 Service | Family @church Breakfast Service |
| 22.01.2020 | 10:30 | Holy Communion Bon Accord, Middle Barton Road, Duns Tew |
| 26.01.2020 | 11:00 | Eucharist, refreshments afterwards |
This month our Sunday evening service will be a benefice service and take place in Steeple Barton at 5pm.
After last month’s Christmas celebrations, we will be resuming our monthly Family@Church service, which starts with our usual communal breakfast at 9am, on Sunday, 19 January. Do come and give it a try!
A big, big thank you to everyone who was involved in the Christmas festivities. We couldn’t have done it without you! Thanks to the flower arrangers, tree decorators, to John and Margaret Gordon for donating the tree and to Tom Reeve, Robert Knight and Chris Drake for transporting and erecting the tree. Thanks to the bell ringers, benefice choir, singers, musicians and our organists who kept us in tune. Thanks to the actors and animals who took part in the nativity story at our carol service. Thanks also to all those who provided refreshments especially to Martin Fairfax-Cholmeley for brewing up the Christmas punch after our carol service and to Jon Burgess for organising the mulled wine at our carol singing in aid of the Children’s Society event. Above all, thanks to everyone who came.
News about funds raised at services for other charities will be in next month’s newsletter.
Advent Supper A huge thank you to everyone who cooked, helped and attended the supper in aid of the Romanian Foyer Trust.
Advent Calendar – Thank you also to everyone who has supported this idea to collect presents throughout December to give to those in need in Banbury and helped every day by Polly. Polly was very touched to know we were organising this scheme. All the gifts were delivered to Polly on 23rd December, but anything received after this time will be delivered to Polly in the New Year and won’t be wasted!
Thank you to everyone who came to help us to tidy-up the churchyard on a sunny Saturday morning in December. We rely on volunteers to keep this very special space in good order.
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
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, 25 April A concert by the group Moonrakers will be held in the church; details in next month’s newsletter.
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.
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
Services given below are all in Duns Tew, unless stated otherwise. Details of all services in the benefice can be found at www.bartonbenefice.org.uk.
| 01.12.19 | 5pm | Benefice Advent Carol Service followed by Advent Supper at 6pm in the Village Hall  |
| 08.12.19 | 4pm at Sandford St Martin | Benefice Christingle Service |
| 15.12.19 | 4pm | Service of Lessons & Carols with baby, donkey and sheep |
| 21.12.19 (Sat) | 6pm | Carols in the Churchyard in aid of the Children’s Society |
| 22.12.19 | 3pm at Steeple Barton | Benefice Service of Lessons & Carols with Choir |
| 24.12.19 (Tues) | 4pm at Westcote Barton 11.30pm at Duns Tew | Benefice Crib Service Christmas Eve Midnight Mass |
| 25.12.19 (Wed) | 11am | Christmas Day Eucharist |
| 29.12.19 | 9.30am | Benefice Eucharist |
| 31.12.19 (Tues) | 5 pm at Westcote Barton | New Year’s Eve service Followed by drinks at the Rectory |
Don’t carry cash? Try out our new Debit Card Reader at selected services
Sunday 1 December at 5pm – Advent Carol Service with benefice choir, followed by Advent Supper in Village Hall at 6pm. If you would like to join us for supper then please contact Martin & Karen Fairfax-Cholmeley (347106) (karencholmeley@yahoo.co.uk).
The supper is in aid of Romanian Foyer Trust which supports young people who receive no state help on leaving orphanages in Romania. Adults £7.50, Children £4.00, Family £20 (2 adults+2 children).
Saturday 7 December at 9am – Churchyard Clear-Up Come and help us tidy up the churchyard for Christmas, a time when many come to visit their loved-ones who are buried there.
Sunday 8 December at 4pm – Christingle Service The benefice’s Christingle Service will be held at Sandford St Martin. Gifts donated will be given to the Sunshine Centre in Banbury and the offering will be shared between the Sunshine Centre and the Children’s Society.
Saturday 14 December at 10am – Decorating the Church Christmas Tree Do come and help us decorate our tree for Christmas. All welcome.
Sunday 15 December at 4pm – Service of Lessons and Carols Come and join us for this very popular Christmas Carol Service. Watch the Christmas story being acted out by local children, helped by a baby, George the donkey and some sheep, and accompanied by the recorder group, ‘Fumb and Forefinger’. Then stay afterwards for mulled wine, mince pies and other refreshments!
If you are under 18 and would like to take part, please contact Stephanie Lacey (stephanielacey@btconnect.com or 347350). The actors just have to dress up and walk about and we also need some children to read some short passages from the Bible.
Saturday 21 December at 10am – Christmas Decorating The flower arrangers will be decorating the church for Christmas.
Saturday 21 December between 6pm-7pm – Carols in the Churchyard in aid of the Children’s Society. Instead of singing at different points around the village, we will be inviting everyone to gather in the churchyard either to listen to or to sing their favourite carols. Mulled wine and other refreshments will be available for a suggested donation of £3 (in aid of the Children’s Society). Carol sheets will be provided but do bring torches and wrap up warm. If it is raining on the night, we will sing inside the church. If you could donate mince pies or any savoury food for the event, please contact Clare Burgess (contact details below).
**Calling all musicians: it would be wonderful if we could have some musicians to keep us all in tune, if you could help please contact Clare Burgess 347382, clarebugress@gmail.com.
Don’t carry cash?
Try out our new Debit Card Reader!
The Children’s Society supports vulnerable young people, young carers and runaways (https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/). For more information about the event or if you would like to donate to the Children’s Society but are unable to attend, please contact Clare, who has gift aid envelopes for the Children’s Society. Clare Burgess 347382, clarebugress@gmail.com.
Monday 23 December– Deadline for bringing your reverse Advent Calendar Boxes to church. In other words – the reverse of those Advent Calendars where there’s a chocolate behind each door. These boxes will be donated to the homeless and vulnerable through Polly. The idea is to remember those who don’t have as much as we do by finding them a gift for every day of December. All you need to do is get a bag or box and fill it with items for the homeless and those in need, who are helped by Polly in Banbury. Feel free to decorate the bag/box, but please don’t gift-wrap the items. Anyone can join in – just pick up a list of suitable gifts (such as an item of food or toiletries) from the table just inside Duns Tew Church. The list of suggested items will also be available on www.dunstew.com, under the Church tab.
All help will be gratefully received – whether it’s one gift or twenty-four – all you need to do is take them to the church by Monday 23rd December and they will be delivered to Polly for her to distribute before Christmas. Thank you for your help. For more information, contact Clare Burgess 347382.
The Collection Plate cash collection taken during the December services will be donated to the following charities:
Carol Service, 15 December: Open Doors is an international ministry serving persecuted Christians; our donations will go particularly to support families in Syria and Iraq.
Midnight Mass, 24 December: Home-Start (Banbury & Chipping Norton Branch)
Home-Start is a voluntary organisation offering support, friendship and practical help to families at home with at least one child under 5Christmas Day, 25 December: The Children’s Society which fights child poverty and neglect, and helps all children have a better chance in life.
In December we will be supporting Katharine House Hospice, Adderbury (www.khh.org.uk). This charity provides specialist palliative care for adults who live locally with life limiting conditions as well as support for symptom management and pain relief. 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 Katharine House Hospice and give to Carol Rigby (Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane).
As always you can leave in-date food donations, or shampoo/toothpaste etc, in the basket in church or take part in our Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes for Polly (see above). Thank you to everyone who supports Polly’s work with the homeless. Clare Burgess 347382
Following the Remembrance Sunday service, donations of £66.85 each have been sent to Combat Stress and the Royal British Legion.
In support of St Mary Magdalene, Duns Tew by local artist Ann Weighell
5 cards for £2.00
 |  |
| ‘3 Kings’ A6 Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year | ‘Snowdrops’ A6 Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year |
Order form in the Church or contact: Carol Rigby nonesuchcarol@gmail.com (01869 340632) or Stephanie Lacey stephanielacey@btconnect.com (01869 347350)
Services given below are all in Duns Tew, unless stated otherwise. Details of all services in the benefice can be found at dornandridgebenefice.org.uk
| 02.11.2019 | 16:00 | All Souls’ Service at Westcote Barton Church |
| 03.11.2019 | 17:00 note new earlier time for the winter months | Evening worship |
| 10.11.2019 | 10:50 note earlier time for the Silence at 11:00 | Remembrance Service |
| 17.11.2019 | 09:00 Breakfast 09:30 Service | Family @ Church breakfast service |
| 24.11.2019 | 11:00 | Eucharist followed by refreshments |
| 27.11.2019 | 10:30 | Mid-week communion Venue TBA |
Westcote Barton Church: If you would like to add a loved one’s name to those being remembered during the service, then please contact Jane Wright 01869 340510, clergy.bartonbenefice@outlook.com) or Stephanie Lacey on 01869 347350 / stephanielacey@btconnect.com
Activity – Can you get an empty box from the supermarket and bring it to church? We will be decorating them during the service. Then you can take it home and during December you can fill it with items for the homeless and those in need, who are helped by Polly in Banbury. There will be a list of suitable gifts to take home too. In other words, it will be the reverse of those Advent Calendars where there’s a chocolate behind each door. The idea is to remember those who don’t have as much as we do, by finding them a gift for every day of December.
Anyone can join in; you don’t have to come to church. Place your filled boxes in church by Monday 23rd December and they will be delivered to Polly for her to distribute before Christmas. I hope you’ll be able to help. For more information, contact Clare Burgess 01869 347382.
Thank you to everyone who came to our Harvest Lunch and enjoyed a convivial and delicious meal. This year’s organisers, Sarah Taylor and Clare Burgess, would like to thank those who cooked, served, and helped to set up. Thanks also to Clive Tompkins & Cherwell Graphics, for printing the beautiful invitations. We would also like to thank the donors and the Poor’s Land Trust for supporting this event.
Thank you also to those who decorated the church for harvest and brought fresh produce, food and flowers for our Harvest Family @Church Service. The edible produce will be donated to Polly.
The final figure collected for this year’s Ride and Stride was an amazing £735. Thank you to everyone who contributed to the annual Churches Bike Ride which took place on 8th September. As usual, half the amount raised will go Duns Tew church and half to the Historic Churches Trust which provides grants for repairs to churches. Thank you once again to our Riders: Chris Drake and Clare Burgess.
Sunday 1.12.2019 Advent Carol Service (with Benefice Choir) followed by Advent Supper in the Village Hall, in support of the Romanian Foyer Trust. Please come and join us for a sociable supper at 6pm. Bar available. Adults: £7.50 – Children: £4.00 – Family £20 (2 adults+2 children). Please give names to Martin & Karen Fairfax-Cholmeley (01869 347106). The Romanian Foyer Trust supports young people who receive no state help on leaving orphanages in Romania.
Sunday 8.12.2019 Christingle Service at 4pm. The benefice’s Christingle Service will be held at Sandford St Martin.
Sunday 15.12.2019 Christmas Carol Service at 4pm As well as children acting out the Christmas story we have again booked George the donkey and some sheep to join us for our carol service this year. If you are under 18 and would like to take part, please contact Stephanie Lacey (stephanielacey@btconnect.com or 01869 347350). The actors just have to dress up and walk about, and we also need some children to read some short passages from the Bible.
Saturday 21.12.2019 at 6pm Carol Singing for the Children’s Society in the churchyard (church if wet). Join us for our annual Christmas fundraiser for the Children’s Society. Bring your relatives and friends for a great start to the festivities. Mulled wine, mince pies and lots of singing!
In November, December and January, we will be supporting Katharine House Hospice. This charity provides specialist palliative care for adults who live locally with life limiting conditions as well as support for symptom management and pain relief. The care is offered throughout the local community both at the hospice, in Adderbury, and also in people’s homes and care homes. For more information please visit their website www.khh.org.uk.
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 Katharine House Hospice, and give to Carol Rigby (Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane).
We will be carol singing to raise funds for the Children’s Society on Saturday 21 December at 6pm in the churchyard. The Society supports vulnerable young people, young carers and runaways. More information at https://www.childrenssociety.org.uk/
We raised £222.50 for our charity of the quarter collection, July-Sept. However, it’s not too late to support this wonderful charity as you can always leave in-date food donations, or shampoo/toothpaste etc, in the basket in church. Thank you to everyone who supports Polly’s work with the homeless. Clare Burgess 01869 347382
In support of St Mary Magdalene, Duns Tew by local artist Ann Weighell
5 cards for £2.00
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| ‘3 Kings’ A6 Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year | ‘Snowdrops’ A6 Merry Christmas & a Happy New Year |
Order form in the Church or contact: Carol Rigby nonesuchcarol@gmail.com (01869 340632) or Stephanie Lacey stephanielacey@btconnect.com (01869 347350)
The Parish Council, in partnership with the Parochial Church Council, are holding a village commemoration for Remembrance Sunday as we remember the dead of both world wars and all those who have died as a result of war.
As we have no war memorial, a temporary memorial will be set up on the triangle of land opposite the church on Main Street. In collaboration with the church the two minutes silence will be kept at 11am on Sunday 10th November, a wreath will be laid by children from the village and there will be a short ceremony outside prior to the service in Church.
All are warmly invited to attend. (It would be very much appreciated if traffic could be kept to a minimum between 10.50 and 11.15)