One of the ‘Cotswold Edge’ Parishes   (Eastington, Frocester, Haresfield, Moreton Valence, Standish and Whitminster)

Benefice Website: www.cotswoldedgeparishes.org.uk

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/cotswoldedgeparishes.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cotswold_edge.


Easter is always an exciting time for me personally, as I love the Spring. It’s my favourite season – as I love to see new growth, hear the bisrds singing, and watch for returning migrants. There are signs of new life all around – the only downside is that the grass starts growing, so I’ll have to fire up the lawnmower again! The daffodils I planted with my son Chris when we first moved here are all in bloom along our front fence, and look lovely. Currently there is plenty of cherry blossom out as well, and the weather is warming up at last.

Spring is a reminder to us all that the world is ever-changing, and try as we might, we can’t stop that. We nay try to deflect the changes, but eventually something will give, and that may eventually mean something very positive will come out of it – even if that outcome may seem initially dreadful. Obviously that is what happened on the first Easter – Christ died, Christ rose – but even those closest to Jesus found it difficult to accept what had happened, and many around at the time, and indeed since, have never accepted it.


Villages change as well, and if you look at where you live you will see, quite possibly, how much yours has. Is this a positive change, and has it always been so? There may have been downsides to it, but also many benefits – and these are mostly concerned with building. Wheras some of our parishes might, and indeed do, embrace some development, for others the feeling is that ‘you can have too much of a good thing’! Yet the development of the schools at Eastington, Haresfield and Whitminster has been a very positive one for all concerned, and given us excellent facilities, as has the building of a community centre in Eastington, and the refurbishment of the Village Halls at Standish and Whitminster. The ‘West of Stonehouse’ development (actually Eastington, or more locally mainly Nastend) is the current ‘bete noire’ – but if this does ever become a reality, what will our approach be to the people who come to live there, or indeed those who work at the incinerator in Haresfield if that ever gets built?


Easter is a time to look beyond the negatives to see the positives, and praise God for all he has done and continues to do for us. I hope to see you praising God in one of our churches soon.


Yours in Christ,

  





(Rector)




Our mission is: to show God’s love for His people, and nurture His people’s love for God

Dear Friends,

Happy Easter everyone! I hope that amidst the mounds of chocolate eggs you will also find the joy of the Christian Faith. After the bleakness of the Lentern season, and the depths of grief and bewilderment that are found in Holy Week, particularly on Good Friday, the amazement brought about by the discovery of the empty tomb, then the various resurrection appearences  of the risen Jesus Christ provide excitement and happyness that continues in the hearts of Christians right up to the present day.

Revd Richard Amys, The Rectory, Millend Lane,                                                      Eastington, GL10 3SG.

Email: richardjramys@aol.com.

Tel/fax 01453 822437.

Day off – Saturday. (Mobile 07796 956050)


Baptism

Elizabeth Keveren and her daughter Isabelle Jane Keveren were baptised on 1st February.


Funerals

Dorothy ‘Dot’ Aldridge, formerly of Eastington, died on January 15th. Her funeral was conducted by the Revd Peggy Ludlow at Eastington Church on 29th January, followed by cremation at Gloucester Crematorium.


John Ellis, formerly of Claypits, Eastington, died on January 11th. His funeral was conducted by the Rector at Eastington Church on 2nd February, followed by cremation at Cheltenham Crematorium.


Eddie Price, of Frocester, died on January 23rd. His funeral was conducted by the Rector at Frocester Church on 16th February, followed by a committal at Westerleigh Crematorium. There was Memorial Service on March 2nd, 11am at Eastington Church.


Lauren Tandy, baptised at Eastington, died on February 11th, aged 17. Her funeral was conducted by the Rector at Eastington Church on 5th March, followed by burial in Eastington Cemetery.


Holy Week and Easter Services in the benefice

Holy Monday  7.30pm BCP Holy Communion at Frocester

Holy Tuesday  7.30pm BCP Holy Communion at Moreton Valence

Holy Wednesday 11am Holy Communion at Moreton Hill Care Centre (no Agape service this year)

Maundy Thursday 7.30pm Holy Communion at Eastington (no Vigil this year)


Good Friday  10 am  Holy Communion at Haresfield

                    2-3 pm  Reflective Service at Whitminster

Easter Day    8 am  BCP Communion at Frocester,

                    9.15  Communion at Haresfield and at Standish (trad)

                   10.45 am Holy Communion at Eastington,

                   11 am at Whitminster

                   6 pm   Easter Songs of Praise at Moreton Valence




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