Church
Places of worship will once again be closed from 5th November, unless they are being used for funerals; broadcasting acts of worship; individual prayer; essential voluntary and public services.
The government guidance published on 31st October is that people should only leave home for certain limited reasons, and they do not include attending public worship. The guidance makes clear that weddings and civil partnership ceremonies will not be permitted to take place except in exceptional circumstances.
We will continue to offer regular Zoom services, and ask that you do not hesitate to get in touch if you feel in need of extra support.
Some people are not drawn to Zoom services but we’d still like to be in contact. If you, or anyone you know may need some help – spiritual or practical – please get in touch with one of the Ministry Team or your churchwarden. Contact details are on the Who’s Who page
It continues to be an anxious time, and it is so important for us to stay connected, as this impacts us all.
Benefice Service on Zoom
The 30 minute internet-based Sunday morning service will continue on Zoom. If you haven’t Zoomed in yet, why not give it a try? 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 8pm. 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.
A Choir Re-formed – NOT YET …. BUT SOON
Once Covid-19 restrictions permit, we’d like to be ready to start our new Church Choir(s) straight away. We want to welcome children and young people as well as adults to make music at our services in all the different villages of our Benefice. Please see our advert for further details.
Christmas Lights for the Church
We are very honoured this year that freelance lighting designer, Tony Simpson, will be designing and installing some very special lights for the outside of Duns Tew Church.
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.
We had hoped to ask everyone to attend a big switch-on, but sadly due to the recent change in restrictions this will not be possible. We hope you will enjoy them as you visit or pass the church during December.
In a year of such uncertainty, we believe the lighting of the church will bring a sense of festive cheer and colour to the centre of our village
Christmas Is Coming
This year we have a new selection of 4 very different cards (priced at 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 has also been produced. It shows 12 different local views and is priced at £7. You can place an order for the cards and/or calendar by either emailing us at dunstewpcc@gmail.com or phoning Carol Rigby on (340632)
Our Charities
Katharine House Hospice
Our Charity of the Quarter for October, November and December. 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 including at the hospice in Adderbury, in people’s homes and care homes. For more information please visit their website 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.
Polly
Polly has been 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. Even though Polly is not our charity this quarter, you can continue to make donations to Polly both financial and in kind either by making 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, Duns Tew, OX25 6JH.
Please do not leave items outside the church while it is locked. Any queries: Clare 347382. Thank you for all your help.
Ride & Stride Sponsored Bike Ride
Thank you to everyone who took part in this year’s Oxfordshire Historic Churches Trust Ride & Stride event, we raised an amazing £979.15, half of which will be paid to Duns Tew Church. A big thank you to our sponsors, and our Riders: Chris Drake, Sarah Taylor and Clare Burgess
