Gippeswyk Singers Concert 

Sunday 25th March at 8pm in Church - in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care - Tickets are now available from Roger (831079) at £5 each. The concert will last about an hour and a quarter and we shall be holding a Cheese and Wine party in the hall afterwards for those who wish to stay on.(Donations will be invited for the cheese & wine). 

Annual Meeting 21st March

The Church Annual meeting is next month on Wednesday 21st March at 7.30pm. Prior to the meeting, a copy of the Annual Report and Accounts for 2011 will be produced for each person or family whose name is on the Church Electoral Roll. The Annual Meeting is your opportunity to ask questions about the past and to make suggestions for the future – please make an effort to be there. There are forms available to have your name added to the roll, if you are not already on it, and forms to nominate Churchwardens and PCC members for the next year.

Please come along to this meeting to give the leaders of your Church your support and to make your views known.

If you consider yourself part of the Church family in this parish please ensure that your name is on the Church Electoral Roll by completing one of the forms available in Church. Please return these Robin Greenhill or to Church by 7th March to ensure you receive a copy of the Annual Report and an invite to the Annual Meeting.

SOUP KITCHEN

As many of you will be aware our Church takes responsibility, with assistance from a team from Henley and a team from Crowfield, for providing a Soup Kitchen in Ipswich every Sunday throughout the year. Other organisations take responsibility for the other evenings. This ensures that those people unfortunate enough to either be living rough or in very basic accommodation in Ipswich at least get some food and hot drinks every day. With the economic downturn the number visiting our patch at the top of Tower Street has unfortunately grown to a regular 40 or so men and women.

We have a rota which means each team is on duty about once every eight weeks. The aim is to have teams of four people three of whom make two loaves of sandwiches each and the fourth makes flasks of soup. Within many of the teams one member is an “in-worker” and doesn’t actually go along to the soup kitchen.

We arrive at the top of Tower Street at 8pm and have a manic half hour serving soup, tea, coffee and sandwiches and any other food we have acquired. The recipients are always extremely grateful and on the whole very pleasant to deal with. We also try to have blankets and sleeping bags with us for those who are without a proper bed. Toothpaste, soap etc is also always appreciated. By 9pm we are back enjoying the comfort of our own homes.

We thank all those who gave soup, coffee, sugar, tins of ham, corned beef, fish etc as their Harvest Thanksgiving.

We still need someone to join one of out teams so if you are able and interested please ring Thelma on 01473 686816

Organist and Choir Leader Required

We are seeking an enthusiastic person to take on this role leading a 15-strong choir covering a wide range of age and musical taste. The successful applicant would be required to take evening choir practice once per week (currently Fridays) and to play for 10am sung communion three Sundays per month plus very occasional midweek special service. A small honorarium is payable plus fees from any wedding or funeral bookings. A CRB check would be required prior to any appointment being confirmed. To apply or seek further information please contact Rev Peter Thorn on 01473 830362.