Due to Covid-19, our Advent and Christmas celebrations will look different this year, with many of our regular features having to be cancelled or done in a different way. However, living in a year of uncertainty the one thing we do know for certain is that what we are permitted to do can change very quickly. So please check the Benefice website www.bartonbenefice.org.uk, the church notice board (located to the left of the lychgate, or contact Clare Burgess (347382 clarebugress@gmail.com) for the latest information with regard to services and the opening of the church. The proposed schedule for December around the Benefice is:

Any services in the churches will be under Covid-19 restrictions. If you wish to attend, please let Steph Lacey know by the afternoon of the day before each service, by phoning 347350 or by emailing services@bartonbenefice.org.uk (please note this new address). Please wear face-coverings whilst in church.

Come into the Light

This will take place on Sunday, 13 December, at 3.30pm when we will celebrate Christmas as a time when Jesus brought light and love into the world. It is for all ages and we hope to hold this event in our churchyard, against the wonderful backdrop of our lights. Bring chairs, torches and dress up as your favourite character in the nativity story. If we are unable to hold it outside due to either Covid restrictions or the weather, then the event will transfer online to Zoom. So please check on social media and our website beforehand. Please book your space beforehand by phoning 347350 or by emailing services@bartonbenefice.org.uk.

Benefice Service on Zoom

The 30 minute internet-based Sunday morning service will continue on Zoom. Log-in is from 9.20am for a prompt start at 9.30am. Please email dunstewpcc@gmail.com for further details on how to join. If you would like to receive weekly church notices by email, contact Clare 347382, email: clarebugress@gmail.com

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 m.coonick@btinternet.com.

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 don’t have a Facebook account.

Christmas Lights for the Church

We are delighted that freelance lighting designer, Tony Simpson, will be designing and installing some very special lights for the outside of Duns Tew Church. In a year of such uncertainty we hope that this will bring a sense of festive cheer to the village.

The lighting is kindly sponsored by White Light Ltd, one of the biggest lighting suppliers in the UK. www.whitelight.ltd.uk. Tony has worked with and for White Light for over 25 years and is currently lighting the Christmas@Stourhead lights trail for the same company that produces Christmas@Blenheim www.tonysimpson.com.

We had hoped that everyone would be able to attend a big switch-on, but sadly due to the current restrictions this will not be possible, but hopefully you will enjoy them as you visit or pass by the church during December.

If you enjoy the lights, please consider donating to Tony’s chosen charity, Thames Valley Air Ambulance. See Christmas charities section below.

Christmas Is Coming

This year there are 4 very different Christmas cards available (50p each) for Christmas, not necessarily what you would normally expect to see inside the church!

In addition to the cards, an A4 spiral wall calendar entitled “Duns Tew Up Close & Local” is also available showing 12 different local views and is priced at £7. To place an order for the cards and/or calendar email us at dunstewpcc@gmail.com or phone Carol Rigby on (340632). Proceeds towards the upkeep of the church.

Our Charities

Charity of the Quarter

Katharine House Hospice 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 including at the hospice in Adderbury, in people’s homes and care homes. For more information: www.khh.org.uk. 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 KHouse.

Christmas Charities

3 additional charities are being supported over Christmas this year:

• Open Doors (International aid for persecuted Christians.) www.opendoorsuk.org
• The Children’s Society (Helping children who are victims of abuse, exploitation and neglect.) www.childrenssociety.org.uk
• Thames Valley Air Ambulance (Providing the best possible chance of survival and recovery when the worst happens.) www.tvairambulance.org.uk

Please make your donations via the collection in services, or make an on-line payment to Duns Tew PCC, Sort Code: 30-90-42 (Lloyds) Account No: 00096480 reference Christmas if you wish your donation to be shared equally between the three charities, or to donate specifically to one use the following reference:

Open Doors: Doors Children’s Society: Child Thames Valley Air Ambulance: Air

Cheques payable to Duns Tew PCC or cash can be dropped off at 2 Longfield or Nonesuch, Hill Farm Lane.

Polly – Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes

Once again we would like to set Duns Tew the challenge of making Reverse Advent Calendar Boxes for Polly’s homeless and vulnerable people in Banbury The idea is that each day, throughout December, you collect something suitable for someone who lives in hostel type accommodation or is sleeping rough. This could be a gift of sweets or chocolates, toiletries, a packet of biscuits, some tins of soup or even a pair of warm gloves, however, please don’t wrap the individual items. Please bring your bags/boxes to Clare Burgess, 5 Hill Farm Lane, Duns Tew, OX25 6JH by 22nd December. Ring 347382 for more info.

Polly is extremely grateful for all our continuing support, particularly, as many of her normal sources of surplus food and clothing have dried up due to the Covid-19 pandemic. To continue to make donations to Polly both financial and in kind please either make an on-line payment to Duns Tew PCC, Sort Code: 30-90-42 (Lloyds) Account No: 00096480 reference ‘Polly’. Alternatively, please take cash/cheques (payable to Polly Preedy) and any clothing or food (baked goods/tinned/packets) to Clare Burgess, 5 Hill Farm Lane.

Please do not leave items outside the church while it is locked. Any queries: Clare 347382. Thank you for all your help

2020 December Church newsletter | 0.00 KB

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