St Michaels Anglican Church

Benefice Website: www.cotswoldedgeparishes.org.uk

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

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

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

Pastoral concerns: Angela Reeder (01453 827446)

Baptisms, Weddings and Funerals: Alec Jeakins (01452 883403)

Churchwardens: Mike Naylor (01453 828682) & Jill Simmons (01453 825303)

Church Services in February and March Chris Amys

The church is entering the season of Lent, and this sees a number of important services taking place in Eastington Church and across the benefice in February and March.

Mothering Sunday is on Sunday 6th March, and the church is holding a Mothering Sunday Service at 10.45am, during which flowers will be handed out to mums. If you would like to come along and give a posy, please contact Muriel Bullock on 01453 826172.

Easter Day is on Sunday 27th March, and the church will have an Easter Communion Service at 10.45am, which is being taken by the Revd Pat Freeth. Following the service, the church is having an Easter Egg Hunt in the churchyard (weather permitting!)

Eastington Church Choir

The Church Choir are looking for anyone who would like to sing

and be part of the choir for a number of upcoming special services

at Eastington Church and across the benefice including:

• Holy Communion at Eastington Church (Sunday 7th February at 10.45am);

• BCP Evensong at Eastington Church (Sunday 21st February at 6pm);

• Mothering Sunday at Eastington Church (Sunday 6th March at 10.45am);

• Palm Sunday at Standish Church (Sunday 20th March at 10am);

• Maundy Thursday at Eastington Church (Thursday 24th March at 7.30pm); and

• Easter Day at Eastington Church (Sunday 27th March at 10.45am).

The choir would be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to sing.

Please contact Shirley at sj.baker@talktalk.net

or Chris at chris.amys@hotmail.com or on 01453 821656.

News from St Michael and all Angels' Church from Jacky Naylor

It is hard to believe that it is now more than seven months since our Rector retired but despite this we have been able to maintain our normal pattern of services and are encouraged by the level of support we have had from visiting Priests and members of our own congregation.

As to the future, we do not expect anything will happen within a short time-frame but we are hopeful that the future of the six churches in our Benefice; which apart from Eastington includes Frocester, Whitminster, Moreton Valence, Haresfield and Standish will be settled during the course of the forthcoming year.

Inevitably the way the church is administered will be different from what we have been used to but at least when new appointments are made we will have a regular Ministry to provide our Parish with leadership and pastoral care as well as conducting worship, weddings and funerals. Meantime we will continue to enjoy the variety and fresh approach that visiting clergy bring to our Church.

Christmas Tree Festival 2015

The Christmas Tree Festival held in St Michaels and All Angels Church for the first time attracted 24 entries and began with a Preview Evening on Friday 27th November 2015 where Christmas drinks and nibbles were served to a large number of supporters.

The Festival exhibition continued over the weekend and concluded with a well-attended Advent service, a highlight of which was the Cotswold Youth Choir.

The voting for the most popular tree resulted in a first place for Eastington Playgroup.

Second prize went to the Wedding Tree

Third place going to the Clangers (otherwise known as Eastington Bell ringers)

Close behind was the prize for the children’s entry which was given to Purdey's ‘What the Ladybird Heard’ Tree

A very big thank you for everyone who put in a tree

and many congratulations to the prize winners.

The event proved to be a huge success even though the weather was atrocious. The many visitors who came were able to sit and chat in the café, which was set up for the weekend in the Charlie Bullock Room, enjoying hot mince pies, teas and coffees.

A great big thank you to all the people who helped set it up and organise it and also to all of those who came along and supported the event.

Although it was a lot of hard work it was great fun and the feedback was absolutely brilliant. It won’t be repeated this year, but everyone should get their thinking caps on for 2017 when hopefully we will hold it again and even more people will come along to put forward their entries.

Jacky