Dates for your diaries
 
This Sunday, 22nd August – Morning Prayer at 9am
 
The following Sunday, 29th August – Harvest Festival and Holy Communion at 10.30

Our Harvest Festival is earlier than usual and coincides with the Feast of the Dedication of St Giles (so we will have a double celebration). If you have produce you would like to contribute to decorate the church for this service, please bring it to the church either on Friday, 27th or Saturday, 28th.  It will be most welcome.

As we cannot hold our usual Harvest Lunch in the Reading Room there will be a Ploughman’s Lunch after the service at the Vicarage for those attending.  Do come and join us to celebrate the good things we have around us.
 
Saturday, 25th September – Barbecue at the Vicarage  5pm
 
This is for all villagers to come and join Maureen for a sociable evening.  It would be useful to have an idea of numbers for catering purposes for this free event, so perhaps you could let me know if you intend to come ([email protected] or 01367 241632).  I shall send out a reminder nearer the time, but please put it in your diaries and come and join in.
 
Looking forward to seeing as many people as possible at all these events.

Pat

This Sunday the service is Morning Prayer at 9 am.  All are welcome to join us.

Next Sunday, 1st August, will be Holy Communion at 10.30am, not the second Sunday in the month as is usual for us.  This is because Maureen is to be installed in the benefice by Revd Canon David Tyler, who will also preach.  There will be nibbles and coffee afterwards in the Vicarage garden.  As this is open to all four parishes I would be grateful to know if you intend to come, if you haven't already done so.

Pat Cook  

01367 241632 or email [email protected]

There will be a service of Holy Communion tomorrow,  Sunday, 13th, here at St Giles at 10.30.   As Maureen is away the service will be taken by Revd Dick Whittington, who helped us out several times during the vacancy.

I have been asked about Covid measures so will repeat them here.  We have done a Risk Assessment which is up in the church porch.   As usual social distancing will be observed at the service, with just alternate rows of pews being used. and you will be shown to a seat.  Masks will be worn and we will only be able still to hum the hymns.  Communion is by wafer only at present and it is brought to you in your pew by the vicar.

We hope you will join us.  If possible, please let me know if you are going to come.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Pat
Churchwarden

01367 241632
[email protected]

We were pleased last month to welcome back some of the members of our congregation and one or two new ones.

This Sunday, the fifth in the month, the service of Holy Communion is here at St Giles at 10.30.

If possible, please let me know if you are going to come.

We look forward to welcoming you.

Pat

[email protected]  01367 241632

There will be a Holy Communion service at St Giles this Sunday (May 9th 2021) at 10.30 am.  We would love to welcome you there.  Revd Maureen will conduct the service.

If you intend to come it would be helpful for Covid-19 purposes to let Pat Cook know in advance on [email protected] or phone 241632.  However, if you decide to come at the last moment please do so.

We finally feel able to open our churches and celebrate the following services for Easter:

• Sunday, 28th March Palm Sunday
  • All Saints, Coleshill  10.30am HC
• Saturday, 3rd April Easter Eve
  • St Giles, Great Coxwell  6pm HC
• Sunday, 4th April Easter Sunday
  • St Michael and All Angels, Eaton Hastings 9.00am   BCP SAID HC
  • St Mary's, Buscot 10.30am  HC

Covid regulations and the Risk Assessment of each church must be adhered to.  Communion will be celebrated at all the services but will be by wafer only, which will be brought to you in your pew.  Maureen will be the celebrant.  You are invited to attend each other's churches to help us celebrate together, although the need for social distancing will mean reduced numbers can be accommodated.  If you would like to attend any of these services, please contact the relevant churchwarden for Track and Trace purposes and to ensure there is sufficient room.

• Sue Homersham, All Saints,  Coleshill  01793 764637, [email protected]
• John Burrows, St Mary's, Buscot  01367 253056, [email protected]
  • Mervyn Humphries, St Michael and All Angels, Eaton Hastings 01367240025
• Pat Cook, St Giles, Great Coxwell 01367 241632 [email protected]

St Giles will be open for private prayer from 10am to 4pm from Good Friday to Easter Monday.

We hope to see you at one of the services. 

In March/April each year the Electoral Roll of those who can vote at the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (APCM) is revised. For many, being on the Electoral Roll may lead to greater involvement and support for St Giles through regular or occasional activities assisting the life and ministry of the church and/or contributing to its financial needs. All support is much appreciated.
 
More recent residents of Great Coxwell may feel that membership of the St Giles Electoral Roll is something in which you would like to participate - the two alternative qualifications for membership are that the applicant is baptised, aged 16 or over, and either is resident in the parish, or has attended a minimum of two services of public worship during the past six months or four attendances in the past year (unless there is a reason for non-attendance such as infirmity or ill health or Covid 19 regulations).

If you would like an enrolment form, please contact:

Revd Maureen Turner, Vicar, Badbury Group of Churches ([email protected]) - 240875

Pat Cook, Church Warden, ([email protected]) - 241632

or Sylvia Athawes ([email protected]) – 241179

The Marie Curie charity is organising a National Day of Reflection on Tuesday 23rd March to reflect upon the loss and grief that many people have suffered during this past year. As part of this national day, they are suggesting that we have a minutes pause at 12 noon, tie yellow ribbons onto a tree or gate, and light a candle at home at 8pm. More information can be found on their website.

In support of this, St Giles’ Church will be open on Tuesday between 10am – 4pm for private prayer and reflection. Ribbons and prayer cards will be available in the porch to use at home or in the church. Covid guidelines will still need to be adhered to, so please wear a mask, keep 2 metres distance and use the antiseptic hand wash provided.  

Ribbons may be attached to the church fence by the noticeboard or taken home to attach to a tree in your garden.  
​
This is a day to Reflect, Support and Hope.
 

As we are unable this Sunday to meet in the church to celebrate Mothering Sunday in the usual way, Revd Maureen has sent the following thoughts on the day which you might like to consider.

Mothering Sunday
The tradition of giving flowers and other gifts to our mothers this Sunday is wonderful. My own mother expects to receive a “proper” Mothering Sunday card - it must have the words “Mothering Sunday” on, and not “Mother’s Day”. This firmly links the festival to the Church and less to the commercial activities surrounding it.

The origins of Mothering Sunday go way back into antiquity. It was originally a pagan festival, held in honour of the Mother goddess Cybele. After Constantine converted to Christianity, the Roman Empire began to celebrate it as a Christian Festival, honouring the Blessed Virgin Mary and Mother Church. Mary, the mother of Jesus is a model of good motherhood, standing by Jesus throughout his life and at his death as he fulfilled God’s work of redemption.

During the 16th-century, it was the custom that domestic servants were given the day off so that they could go home and see their own mothers. If lucky, they would pick flowers from the hedgerows along the way to give to them. Often it was the only day of the year when families could come together. It really is a poignant and thought-provoking Sunday to celebrate in the midst of our Lent austerities and Covid restrictions.

Sadly, our churches remain closed at this time, so we are unable to have the formal celebration of the Eucharist or distribute posies to mothers. Yet we can all use this time to celebrate the love of our mothers and carers who have loved us and stood by us throughout the years. It is also a time to give thanks to God for Mother Church, formed out of the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross. Mother Church is where we should find comfort and support, encouragement, love and hospitality. When we open again, let’s be sure to celebrate with thankful hearts.

Thank you to all those who have joined or renewed their subscription to the 100 Club.  There is still room for a few more!

Biddy plans to start the draw next week with the January and February winners.  If you have not yet renewed your subscription or would still like to join, there is still time.  Please let Biddy know as soon as possible.  We are aware that some people have had difficulty making their payment online.  If you wish to renew or pay in this way, please note that you may have to type "Great Coxwell Parochial Church Council" in full for the account to be recognised.

Remember, you have to be 'in it to win it'!

Pat