From 25^th April we aim to hold a service on Zoom at 9.30am and a second service outside/inside one of the churches at 11.00am.

These are the venues for the 11.00am services in the next few weeks, please book a place by e-mailing services@bartonbenefice.org.uk or phone 01869 347350

For outdoor services please bring your own chair.  If the weather is very poor we may need to make alternative arrangements.  Keep an eye on the website, Facebook page and church notice board for details.  

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.

Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) – Revised Date

This year’s APCM has been re-scheduled and will now be held in the church/churchyard after the 11am service on Sunday 6 June 2021. 

Benefice Service on Zoom

The 30 minute internet-based Sunday morning service will continue on Zoom in May.  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. 

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.

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 on-line 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

Plant sale for May 

We are planning to hold a plant sale in the churchyard on Saturday 8 May between 10am-12noon. So please pot up any spare herbaceous plants or sow a few extra seeds to donate.  These can be left at Corner Cottage, 2 Longfield, or 5 Hill Farm Lane anytime between 1 May – (6pm) 7 May. 

Lockdown Pop-Up Church Bistro 

Thank you to everyone who supported our recent Pop-Up Bistros.  We are delighted to announce that with your help we have raised over £2,000. 

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.

Christian Aid Week (10-16 May)

This year, Christian Aid focuses on people who are greatly impacted by climate change and their search for clean water.  We will be delivering envelopes for donations through your doors and, although there will be no house to house collections this year, your envelopes with donations can be returned by Sunday 23 May to the following locations: 2 Longfield, 5 Hill Farm Lane,  5 Field Court, ‘The Old Forge’ Middle Barton Road and 14 Dashwood Rise. Please help support Christian Aid. For more information, contact Sarah Taylor 340827

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. 

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.