This month our benefice services are continuing to take place on Zoom, although with the easing of lockdown restrictions we hope that we may be able to hold some services in church. As this is an ever-changing situation, please check the Benefice website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk, the church notice board (located to the left of the lychgate, the benefice Facebook page, or contact Clare Burgess DTclare@bartonbenefice.org.uk for the latest information with regard to services.
Duns Tew church is open for private prayer, generally between 9am and dusk. For opening times of other churches in the benefice check the website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk. Visitors to our churches are requested to observe all current Covid-19 regulations and recommendations according to the NHS Covid 19 Track and Trace app. If you can, do download the NHS app to your phone https://www.nhs.uk/apps-library/nhs-covid-19/ and scan the QR code when visiting our churches.
Easter Day Service
Our principal Easter Day service will be at 0930 on Zoom. This will include plenty of music and singing. Please email zoom@bartonbenefice.org.uk if you would like to be sent the link for this. There will also be a very short open-air Eucharist in Steeple Barton at 11.00, principally for those who cannot access or do not feel comfortable with online services. All Covid-19 guidelines will still be in place, including no singing at this service.
Duns Tew church will have some flower arrangements from Easter Sunday onwards, if anyone would like to visit. Please use hand sanitiser before entering and follow the Covid-19 guidance.
Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM)
This year’s APCM will be held in the church on Sunday 25 April 2021 at 11.30am.
Benefice Service and Monthly Eucharist on Zoom
The 30 minute internet-based Sunday morning service will continue on Zoom in April. This is normally a short service apart from Easter Day and the last Sunday of every month when it will take the form of a slightly longer Eucharist service. In April, the Eucharist will be on Sunday, 25 April. Log-in is from 9.20am for a prompt start at 9.30am. Please email zoom@bartonbenefice.org.uk for further details on how to join. There will be Zoom coffee and chat after the service.
If you would like to receive weekly church notices by email, contact Clare 347382, email: DTclare@bartonbenefice.org.uk. Copies of the Reflection and Prayers from each service can be delivered to your door, if you would find this helpful.
Benefice Bible Study on Zoom
The bible study group continues to meet on Zoom on Tuesdays at 7.15pm. Log-in details are on the weekly email which accompanies the notice sheet. For more details contact Maria on 01869 340826 studythebible@bartonbenefice.org.uk.
Coffee and Prayer Group on Zoom
A Zoom Coffee and Prayer Group continues to meet on Wednesday mornings at 11.30 am. This is an informal group for parishioners in the Barton and Cherwell Valley Benefices which lasts about half an hour. Information on joining the group, queries or prayer requests can be emailed to prayergroup@bartonbenefice.org.uk or by contacting Frances or Sally Anne on 01869 345689.
Christian Aid Week (10-16 May)
As you may be aware Christian Aid week normally takes place in May. Due to the pandemic last year, we were unable to deliver envelopes and collect donations from Duns Tew. It will be similar this year, but with some changes. We will be delivering envelopes through your doors, but there will be several addresses where you can return the donations to during Christian Aid week 10-16 May. Details of collection points will be given next month and will be attached to the envelope. For more information, please contact sarahtaylor27.st@gmail.com, Tel: 340827
Benefice Facebook Page
Please remember to look at our Facebook page, and follow us on www.facebook.com/bartonbenefice/. You can still look at our Facebook page even if you do not have a Facebook account.
Resources for worship at home during Lockdown
The benefice website publishes the reflections, readings and prayers for each Sunday. On this website you will also find, amongst other things, the Notice Sheet, order of service, details of up-and-coming services and groups and when churches are open for private prayer. Just visit: www.bartonbenefice.org.uk or
Looking for volunteers to help with a project to explore live-streaming services from our churches
We would like to explore live-streaming services so that when we are back in church, we can be in touch with as many people as possible. If you have a little time and/or experience of audio-visual technology or live streaming and could help us with a bit of research into this project, please contact Clare or Fran. DTclare@bartonbenefice.org.uk frances@bartonbenefice.org.uk
Church Fete 2021 deferred to 2022
We have decided not to hold our usual fete this year because of the uncertainty over the timing of the end of all Covid restrictions. We feel that it is also likely that people’s priority will be to catch up with family, friends and trips away, where possible. We will continue with our monthly fund-raising, so keep a look out for forthcoming events throughout the coming months.
Plant stall for May
We plan to hold a plant sale in some form in May, so please pot up any spare herbaceous plants or sow a few extra seeds to donate, if you can.
Lockdown Pop-Up Church Bistro
Thank you to everyone who supported our recent Pop-Up Bistro. We will be having our fourth lockdown pop-up church bistro on Saturday 3 April, subject to any change in the current situation, which will be a 2 course supper. All to be delivered on Saturday, 3 April.
Price £10.00
Giving to the work of your parish church & benefice
While we continue to meet on Zoom more frequently than in our churches, we ask for your continued support through giving, if you are able to do so. We cannot take a collection during online services but encourage offerings in a number of ways. For more information do see the website (select the “Giving” button on the homepage) www.bartonbenefice.org.uk or email: accounts@bartonbenefice.org.uk.
Our Charities
Charity of the Quarter
We are supporting Dementia Oxfordshire (www.dementiaoxfordshire.org.uk) from April to June. Dementia Oxfordshire is a partnership between Age UK Oxfordshire and Dementia UK. It provides specialist dementia services, available free to people living with dementia and their families living in Oxfordshire. The charity’s aim is to ensure that people have the best available information, advice and support they need to live the life they have to the full. For more information on how to make a donation through the PCC, please contact Carol Rigby (dunstewpcc@gmail.com) or phone 340632.
Polly
Despite the latest lockdown, Polly continues to work with the homeless and vulnerable in Banbury. She feels her “lads and lasses” need her support more than ever at the moment. If you can spare any food items (tins/biscuits/packets etc), or cheques (payable to Polly Preedy), please bring them to Clare Burgess, 5 Hill Farm Lane, Duns Tew, OX25 6JH or ring Clare on 01869 347382. Polly has enough clothing at the moment.
Please do not leave items outside the church if it is locked.
Any queries: Clare 347382 DTclare@bartonbenefice.org.uk . Thank you for all your help.