News:

At long last the evenings are drawing out! We are now well into Lent and signs of Spring are all around.  However, we must go back and think about all the activities held in Advent and over Christmas.

Our Carol service was led by Jackie and younger members of the congregation sang 'Away in a Manger' and some of them also did readings during the service. Thank you to all who decorated the church so beautifully, took part or supplied food for the refreshments afterwards.

Loxbeare and Calverleigh carol singers were out on three evenings, 19, 21 and 23 December.  Despite the windy second night, the evenings were really enjoyable for those taking part. We even managed to sing at most households across the two villages over the three hours each night.  New people joined in this year and from the youngest (19 months old) to the eldest (whose age shall not be divulged). All were in good voice raising a grand total of £700, that was split equally between FORCE and Devon Air Ambulance. Thanks to all who took part in this very worthwhile time of fellowship with the opportunity to sing and hear your favourite carols. Thanks also to those who supplied supper for us on two of the evenings. We weren’t expecting anything, but it was greatly appreciated at the end of a period of travelling around and spreading Christmas Cheer. 'The best way to spread Christmas Cheer is singing loud for all to hear' - and they certainly did that!

We were so pleased to have Rev’d Steph Gordon-Jeffs lead our Christmas Day service.  Steph’s talk this year of the retelling of the Nativity involved book titles. This inevitably meant that poor Aubrey and Jackie were darting around the church as members of the congregation held up the books titles that they had been handed to reward them with a chocolate. They certainly earned theirs. We can’t wait to find out how you’re going to give our wardens a Christmas morning work-out next year! As well as being a fun service, it was also a very emotional service at times with Steph and Robert’s family in attendance.  Our thoughts continue to be with you all. Thank you, Steph for a lovely service which I am sure was quite tough for you.

With that in mind we also learned of the passing of one of Maureen Batstone in December.  Maureen had become one of our regulars at St. Mary’s since moving to Farleigh Meadows. She loved to watch the children taking part in services and was always a very happy lady. Our thoughts and prayers are with the family and friends of Maureen and with anyone else who is mourning the loss of a loved one – whether recently or not.

As ever, your generosity as a community is well established. During Advent a collection of dried and tinned foods, along with toiletries were donated and left under the Church Christmas Tree for CHAT. Thank you to all who gave so generously.  All donations were delivered to the CHAT office before the New Year.  We will be collecting for them again during Lent. To find out more about the work of CHAT, visit: www.chatmid.org

Our congratulations go to Jess and James on the birth of their daughter Hallie, a sister for big brother Chester, granddaughter for Paul and Maureen and great granddaughter for Myrtle.

Our very best wishes also go to those who have celebrated a special birthday in the past two months. Many happy returns to you and we hope that you had a lovely time with family and friends. Many Happy returns to Dave who turns 43 in April!

In February a Taize service was held at the church. The service was arranged by Rev’d Tim who was ably assisted by Gill as they led the singing of chants which were sung in English, Latin or French.  Some were familiar to a few of us, while others were not so well known but it is always good to be able to learn something new. It was an enjoyable, prayerful time and we look forward to hosting one again in April!

Dates for your diary:

• 1 Apr - Table Top Sale / Cream Tea at Village Hall
• 4 Apr - Service of Thanksgiving for Maureen
• 4 May - Day of Prayer
• Jun/Jul - Potato Competition
• 7 Jul - Open Air Service
• 24 Aug - Produce Show
• 14/15 Sep - Harvest Weekend
• 16 Nov - Autumn Fayre

 

<< More Calverleigh...