Upton St Leonards Church News

February 2007

February Diary

 

 

2.         FRI.     CANDLEMAS.

4.         SUN.   3rd before LENT

Holy Communon 8.00a.m.

All Age Communion 10.00a.m.

Evening Service 6.00p.m.

5.         MON.  Upton W.I. 7.30p.m. Village Hall

8.         THURS. M.U.Holy Communion 2.00p.m.

11.       SUN.   2rd before LENT.

                        Holy Communion 8.00a.m. & 6.00p.m.

                        Parade Sunday, All Age Communion with

Special Service to celebrate Christian Love & Family Relationships

& Traidcraft Stall.

12.       MON.  Twyver W.I. Village Hall. 7.30p.m.

15.       THURS. M.U. Meeting Church Room 2.00p.m.

16.       FRI.     Visit of the Gloucestershire Police Male

Voice Choir in Church 7.30p.m.

18.       SUN.   SUNDAY before LENT.

Holy Communon 8.00a.m.

All Age Communion 10.00a.m.

Evening Service 6.00p.m.

21.       WED.  ASH WEDNESDAY.

                        Deanery Holy Communion 7.30p.m.

                        St Catherine’s Church.

22.       THURS.Get-together Club meet Village Hall – 2.30p.m.

25.       SUN.   FIRST SUNDAY OF LENT.

Holy Communon 8.00a.m.

All Age Communion 10.00a.m.

Evening Service 6.00p.m.

26.       MON.  Ladies Group meet Church Room – 7.45p.m.

 

 

Contributions for the March edition of Church News should reach Mrs. Rumsey by 10th February please. 

You know the address:- 16, Perry Orchard.

 

February

 

Progress on the Mission Action Plan (MAP)

When the November Magazine went to press the Deanery Mission Action Plan had just been approved by the Deanery Synod and was being presented to the Bishop. At his request and for practical and legal reasons each Parish which will not be replacing its current Incumbent when they leave needed to commit to joining with a neighbouring Parish. This is to ensure continuity of Pastoral care for the Parishioners in that Parish should the Incumbent be appointed to a new post while the plan is being developed and for these purposes the Parish of Coney Hill has agreed to take on responsibility for the Parish ofUpton should I move in the near future.

Many of you will know Lynne Holland already as she has worked with our Mother's Union Group and helped organize the Woman's World Day of Prayer in recent years, as well as leading Worship from time to time in St Leonards. Lynne and I have been meeting regularly for Prayer and mutual support since we both arrived here and we both look forward to working more closely together over the coming months. We both look forward too, to the appointment of a Parish Priest for St Lawrence and a Minister in Christchurch so that the Team can begin to take shape and work together. The overall Vision, it needs to be remembered, is that the four Churches can work together to be the Church in this place.

It is, I think, very important that everyone is assured that the Pastoral needs of Upton will be catered for in that situation, however Pastoral Care is a shared responsibility between the Clergy and the Laity. We do need also to be looking at practical considerations and developing a Lay Ministry Team, hopefully across the Parish boundaries and this closer relationship with Coney Hill offers us the opportunity to begin this important process. This is just a start of our exciting journey of discovery together.

I would like to thank all those who came together for Worship in the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. There will be many opportunities for us to meet together and to worship together in the coming months, please make sure that you are part of this growing family of the Church for this place. It is up to us to build on the

opportunities this plan presents to us to build God's Kingdom through His Church, the Body of Christ in this place.

Paul

If you would appreciate a visit from the Parish Priest or someone from the Church please let us know, either in person at one of the Services, in writing to The Rectory, 12 Bondend Road, Upton St Leonards, GL4 8AG or by phone (01452 627828) or e-mail: rev_leckey@blueyonder.co.uk

 

An Invitation

to everyone to a Service at 10.00am on

Sunday 11th February in St. Leonards Church

to celebrate

CHRISTIAN LOVE & FAMILY RELATIONSHIPS

 

From the Churchwardens:

 

 

Looking forwards, on Friday 16th February, the doors of Upton Church will be unlocked to allow the boys in blue to enter – no, not for a raid but for a welcome visit by the Gloucestershire Police Male Voice Choir. We are very privileged to be able to welcome this fantastic group to our Church and no doubt the event will be well attended and they will be made to feel very welcome.

For all those of you that have got tickets already, I am sure you will enjoy the evening and for those who have not got tickets yet – please contact Paul Black on 01452 618037 or us, the Churchwardens, as soon as you can to avoid disappointment. Your ears will appreciate the evening and it should prove to be a great occasion.

 

Please watch out for more events happening at the Church of Upton St Leonards in the coming months via the usual methods – Church News, Pew News, Notice Boards and for those with internet access, the Church website. As we have mentioned before, the Church can only grow and develop if you, the Parishioner, continue to support it in any way that you are able to – be it by offering your time to attend Church services or events or by offering a skill you have that may lend itself to the Church.

 

As promised in previous Church News articles, the Quinquennial Report on the physical structure of the Church building has only just been delivered. It is a lengthy and detailed 34 page report and full of information that we have not had the time to fully digest. Once we have had the opportunity to read the document and absorb the details in full we will prepare a plan to implement the work that is needed. Your patience in this matter is appreciated.

 

In the meantime, it is hoped that a plan for Church and Churchyard maintenance for 2007 will be prepared shortly. If you feel that you can offer a skill that can help or even your time then please contact us. It is always easier to prepare for these things with a list of people that are willing to help out. It is hoped to arrange a Church building spring clean and a few Churchyard clearance events in the coming months. If you have not helped out on any previous events that have been arranged then please do not let that stop you. We can assure you that these events are usually arranged so that you only work as hard as you want to.  They are also good fun and you get to see the outcome of your work at the end of it, knowing that you have done something to help the Church at Upton.

 

Take care and be well in the coming months.

 

Matthew Gibbs and Jenny Davies – Churchwardens.

 

 

WASTE PAPER COLLECTION.

We have at last received a cheque for £107.40p for the 7.16 tons of waste paper

loaded on 25th August last year.

Thank You to ALL who helped.

The paper store is filling up again which should produce another load in Feb/March

I know that some of you are keen? to get started again.

 

T.R. Hall

 

 

 

 


Happy Special Birthday to Rev’d Peter Jackson

On 22nd February

 

Upton St Leonards Parish Church Tower Flood Lighting

The Church at Upton is pleased to be able to offer individuals or families the chance to sponsor the lighting for a special occasion, such as to celebrate a birthday or anniversary or in celebration of the life of a loved one. There is no set amount for this, just what you would like to gift to the Church in order to help cover costs.

If you would like to sponsor the Church Tower Flood Lights then please contact Matthew Gibbs on 01452 618127 or email matthewgibbs@uptonstleonardschurch.co.uk for more details.

 

Upton St Leonards Parish Church Lending Book Service.

The Church Lending Book Service is still running and a new set of boxes have been placed at the back of the south aisle. Please take the time to have a look and borrow or buy a book to enjoy.

Any donations that are left go to Church funds and are very much appreciated.

 

 

 

Meet a Vicar?!

Every Friday evening between 7pm and 7.30pm the Church is open and attended so that people may come along and enquire about such things as baptisms or weddings or indeed anything else.

It also gives people a chance to see the inside of the Church and spend quiet time if they so wish, or have a friendly chat.

 

Churchyard Vehicular Access

Some of you may have noticed that in order to provide electrical power to the positions required for the floodlights, trenching work disturbed the gravel trackway and some of the grass areas around the tower.

The trenching work was carried out by a professional during exceedingly damp and unsettled conditions. He was very careful to complete the job with the minimum of mess and did a fantastic job of tidying up afterwards. It was appreciated that despite his best efforts, some further tidy up work in the spring would be necessary.

However, due to the further high amounts of rainfall, it has highlighted an issue that was not really evident before.

The trackway leading from the upper to the lower church gate is not a public highway and is only really suitable for light usage.

As such it is really only for use by vehicles that are carrying persons who are physically impaired (be it disabled or any other reason) to gain access to the Church itself or indeed an area within the Churchyard.

It now appears that the trackway is being used by a large number of people, who are able bodied, in vehicles to save walking a few extra yards. Normal sized cars and also large 4x4s have been spotted using the trackway. This has meant that it is being subjected to a level of usage that is far above what is expected. Some of the vehicles that use the trackway have been driven across the disturbed grass that runs alongside it. The result of this is that areas that were in need of minor remedial work in the spring are now in need of more extensive and labour intensive work. It has also meant that the disturbed areas are now more noticeable and more unsightly than before. Short term remedial work has taken place (3 tonnes of gravel) but much more work will be necessary once spring is here.

In the meantime, please only use the trackway if you cannot gain access any other way. This will hopefully mean that the track is used less and will keep future work to a minimum.

Your help in this matter is very much appreciated.

Jenny and Matthew, Churchwardens.

 

7p.m. – 9p.m. Tuesdays.

Wooden Hut opposite the Church.

Holly Butcher (Leader)

Email matthewgibbs@uptonstleonardschurch.co.uk for more details.

 

 

 

75th Anniversary

Women’s World Day of Prayer

A Service is being held on

Friday 2nd March at 10.30am

at Upton St Leonards Church.

 

The Speaker is Revd. Audrey Hayman

and the subject is United Under Gods Tent,

written by Christian Women of Paraguay.

All Ladies very Welcome.
Upton St Leonards School Choir will lead the singing.

 

Women's World Day of Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian women who come together to observe a common day of prayer held on the first Friday in March each year, and who, in many countries, have a continuing relationship in prayer and service.  Through Women's World Day of Prayer women are encouraged to become aware of their talents and use them in the service of the wider community.

Visit www.wwdp-natcomm.org for more information.

 

Upton St Leonards

 

Dates for February:

 

Thursday 8th February – 2.00pm

Holy Communion.

Thursday 15th February – 7.45pm

Meeting in the Church Room.

Speakers: Rev’d Angela Smith.

Subject: God’s Abundant Love.

Monday 26th February – 7.45pm

Ladies Group met in the Church Room.

 

Contact:

Afternoon Group –

Rachel Hall – 01452 610521

Ladies Group –

Millie Barnes – 01452 619896

 

UPTON ST. LEONARDS C of E. PRIMARY SCHOOL.

From time to time our school has vacancies for Midday Supervisors and Road Crossing

Patrols.  If you might be interested in finding out more about such positions and

would like to be kept informed when vacancies occur, please contact the Head Teacher,

Ms. Cottia Howard by telephoning 616109.

COTTIA HOWARD.

 

CAN YOU HELP.

The flower pedestals in Church are badly in need of a little paint - would anyone be willing to carry out this job during Lent when there are no flowers in Church.

If so please contact Mrs. Rumsey, Tel.No 614175 who will be very pleased to hear from you.

 

 

GET-TOGETHER CLUB.

We are lucky to have with us on Thursday 22nd February Mr. Ron Curtis who is coming to entertain us with music from yesteryear. What could be nicer on a winter's afternoon than to sit in pleasant company listening to familiar music? 

This will be a most entertaining afternoon, and we hope you will feel able to join us.  2.30p.m. in the Village Hall with a

lovely tea to follow.

 

MEG JAMES.

 

Upton St Leonards Parish Church

proudly presents the

 

Gloucestershire Police

Male Voice Choir

Performing in the Church from 7.30pm on

Friday 16th February 2007.

Tickets priced £5

available now from Paul Black on 01452 618037 or

the Churchwardens, Jenny and Matthew on

01452 615858 and 01452 618127

 

 

The Mobile Library will be in Upton St. Leonards on  Monday 12th and 26th February at the Village Hall between 1.40p.m. – 2.10p.m.

 

 

 

Upton St Leonards Flower Show Committee

 

A note for your diary

The next flower show is to be held on

Saturday 8th September 2007 at the Village Hall

 

Upton St Leonards 34th Spring Show

And Rent-a-Craft Stall

Saturday 17th March 2007

Let us make this a really good year for entries!

 

Get those knitting needles clicking this winter for the

CHARITY CLASS

‘Using your own pattern, make a 4ply knitted cot blanket for a premature baby (any colour) 20”X20” (50cmsX50cms)

ALL ENTRIES TO BE DONATED TO MOTHER TERESA’S WORK IN INDIA’

ARTS & HANDICRAFTS

'A hand knitted Item up to 4 ply'

'A hand knitted item in double knitting'

'A hand knitted item in fancy wool/yarn'

Also in the Arts & Handicraft section there are,

'Show us your hidden talents' let us see what you have made.

'A crocheted item'

'A picture (handicraft)'

'A picture (art)'

Now is the time to sort out your photgraphs for entries:-

‘Horsing about’                  )        Max size 12”x8” (30x20cms)

‘Wish you were here’            )        Not have been exhibited before.

‘There’s no place like home’    )     Exhibitors own work

‘Be a sport’                                 )        May be produced digitally or

                                                     )        conventially.

 

Schedules will be available at the beginning of February.

From Marilyn Bannister Tel. 610670 or the village Post Office.

For Craft Stall Bookings please contact Sue Gardner Tel. 502059.

 

 

 

Twyver W.I.

Although the weather was blustery the Village Hall was full for the first meeting of 2007.  Jo Collins, our President, welcomed members and visitors and wished everybody a happy new year. She introduced Margaret Clark. our WI advisor, who joined us for the evening.  The business of the evening was dealt with quickly, mainly the tickets for the Valentine Dance on February 9th were almost all sold.  Echo Challenge Quiz first round, and the monthly walk on February 1st.  Outings planned include a visit to Tyntesfield in late April joining Abbeydale Ladies for a day trip to Evesham on May 30th and a visit to West Woodhay House Garden Show on 16th June.

Our speaker for the evening was Mike Rafferty, a poet and muse, who entertained us with poetry and limericks.  He started writing at an early age to compensate for a stammer and has continued throughout his working life, drawing on his experiences for inspiration. Most humorous, sometimes striking a serious note, we heard about the day that "Charlie Cut the Cable" and the chaos created, the sudden awareness of the fairer sex, and the day that the first young female teacher made an appearance in an all-male school. Poems about failing health, in a Welsh setting and accent and included a visit to "Dai the Eye", and the wistful recollection of how women were before equality became an issue delighted the audience.  Mike gives talks to many groups,

including Blind Clubs and has written two books "Wit and Whimsy" and"More Wit and Whimsy" and has brought out a CD. 

Of course he had a poem about the WI, dedicated to his sister. There were many more enjoyable readings, all reflections on human life and our quirks and he had his audience chuckling away. Hazel Day proposed the vote of thanks.

To mark our president's forthcoming 70th birthday Julie Threlfall and Hilary Norris had made and decorated a special cake. Pauline

Sugdon presented a bouquet and members sang happy birthday. A lovely ending to a lovely meeting.   Do join us for our February meeting on the 12th.   7.30 in the Village Hall.

P.R.T.