Lego Club presents - Family Fun MorningOn Saturday 2nd August Lego Club is expanding to a Family Fun Morning. As well as the usual Lego building and breakfast there will be crafting, face painting, a tattoo parlour, second-hand children’s book sale and more! From 9.30am until noon, all welcome. Speak to Rachel or Helen for more information.Malcolm Hobday Some of you will remember Malcolm Hobday who died recently. We would like to send our love to his daughter Lorraine and the rest of his family. Over the years, Malcolm was a great help to St Leonard’s. He made the cabinet that the Benefactors’ book is held in and was part of the team that replaced the bells some years ago. We would like to recognise and thank him for his contribution which was and still is much appreciated.Bishop of Bristol Farewell ServiceWe will say farewell to Bishop Viv at a special service in Bristol Cathedral on Sat. 30th August at 3pm. Everyone is welcome to attend this service, followed by light refreshments. To assist with planning, we ask that all guests book in no later than 20th August 2025 via: https://email.bristoldiocese.org/c/AQiX2hUQsrycARi4xuQ0IIqMkgqg4mGfWSy2SezqWFIoJ8dIlQJX0iRvEemoOJ4AqnU66gService Feedback FormsNow Andy has started his curacy there is a need for service feedback from the congregation for all services. A short anonymous “Feedback” form has been designed, available after each service at the back of the church, no matter who is leading. Only two or three of these need to be completed each week by a range of people across the months. Please ask if you are interested in doing this for us, we might also alight on “volunteers”! Please speak with Helen or Phil.Free funding for our churches with EasyfundraisingPlease look at joining Easyfundraising to raise funds for the Reordering Project simply by shopping online via the portal or smartphone app. Search for “St Leonard’s - Blunsdon” as the cause to support. See the following link for more details, or speak with Paul Morris. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-leonards-church-blunsdon. Please also ask family and friends to join!
Reordering Update We have asked for an update and have been advised that all we can do is wait to hear from the Chancellor. The first we hear may be the decision, or there may be several additional questions ahead of a decision. The time for a Chancellor to decide a case is ultimately undetermined and can vary. Given the size of the plans and application, and the comments from consulting bodies, it is envisaged this application may take a while for the Chancellor to consider. Looking at a project with a similar scope that is currently ongoing, they have been waiting for just over a month for a decision now with no indication when a decision may be made. In the interim, much smaller applications have been granted within a couple of weeks. We have been advised to envisage at least a month’s period of determination. The Reordering Committee will be reconvening soon to start planning next steps.Fundraising Concert Saturday 5th JulyLast Saturday’s really well attended concert raised £705 for the Reordering Project. Thank you to all who so generously supported this wonderful event.Free funding for our churches with EasyfundraisingIf you shop online, please look at joining Easyfundraising to raise funds for the Reordering Project simply by shopping via the portal or smartphone app. In the app, search for “St Leonard’s - Blunsdon” as the cause being supported. See the following link for more details, or speak with Paul Morris. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-leonards-church-blunsdon.Hot Water in Church Kitchen/ToiletIt seems that there has been a view that we should not be using the water heater in the kitchen & toilet but it was not clear why. We have inspected and there is no reason not to use the heater which is switched on via the large red switch in the kitchen. The heater works like an electric shower and only heats the water when a hot tap is running and so there is no real wasted energy. If you are using the church and need hot water simply switch the heater on and the water will be hot. Please switch off when not in use.
Ordination of Curate Andy BissexAndy is being ordained this Sunday in Bristol Cathedral, please pray for Andy and Phil. Following Andy’s first service at St Michael’s on Sunday 13th July at 10:15am there is a Bring and Share lunch. As it would be wonderful for the St Leonard’s congregation to join both the service and the lunch, there will be no morning service in St Leonard’s. If anyone would like a lift to Highworth for the service and lunch please let Paul or Helen know and we will make car share arrangements.Fundraising Concert Saturday 5th JulyBig thanks to Helen and Hilary Gibbin, and all who helped in preparing for and supporting the fundraising concert on Saturday, raising money for the Reordering Project.Free funding for our churches with EasyfundraisingBristol Diocese have partnered with Easyfundraising to give churches a free, easy, and secure way to raise funds at no extra cost, or effort. St Leonard’s is now registered, so you can now join and simply shop online via a portal or smartphone app. Each time you do, the retailer will give a donation to us for the Reordering Project. If you install the app search for “St Leonard’s - Blunsdon” as the cause being supported. See the following link for more details, or speak with Paul Morris. https://www.easyfundraising.org.uk/causes/st-leonards-church-blunsdon.Vacancy in See Public Consultation - have your say on the new Bishop of Bristol! The Diocese is beginning the important process of choosing the next Bishop of Bristol. Whether you’re part of a local church, a community group, a school, or simply someone who wants to see the Church play a positive role in society, your voice matters! Take 5 minutes to share your thoughts in an online survey at: https://email.bristoldiocese.org/c/AQiX2hUQjadeGLjG5DQgi6PFCJz68H_MCVKW_SaOUC0ypDXb1_yCCVou7a-MLn6RufxO.
Ordination of Curate Andy BissexOur new curate Andy is being ordained on Sunday 6th July in Bristol Cathedral. Please pray for Andy and Phil on this special occasion, and for all candidates being ordained in the Bristol Diocese.Bring and share lunch at St Michael’s on 13th JulyFollowing Andy’s ordination and first service at St Michael’s there is a Bring and Share lunch on Sunday 13th July after the 10:15am morning service. The PCC have decided that as it would be wonderful for the St Leonard’s congregation to join both the service and the lunch there will be no morning service in St Leonard’s on Sunday 13th July. If anyone would like a lift to Highworth for the service and lunch please let Paul or Helen know and we will make car share arrangements. Churchwardens - Archdeacons VisitationPaul and Helen will be attending the Archdeacons Visitation on 3rd and 9th July respectively to formally begin their Churchwarden year. Please pray for all churchwardens in the Diocese as they take this step.Reordering UpdateThe Public Notice period ends on 3rd July and the Certificate of Publication will be submitted on Friday 4th July. Next steps to be clarified with the DAC once submitted as we await the Chancellors review.Church Committees/GroupsFollowing the PCC Meeting we have agreed that we need a Reordering Committee and an Eco Church Committee to work on the project and to work towards the first level of Eco Church as we look to meet the Diocesian environmental targets. We do need people to help the PCC with the level of work involved in delivering these initiatives. If you or someone you know might be interested in joining one of these committees please speak with Paul Morris. Fundraising Concert Saturday 5th JulyDon’t forget to buy a ticket for the concert next Saturday!
