We have several different Harvest services and socials in the Benefice this year, find out more below:Saturday 27 September at 12.30 - Harvest Lunch at HarpsdenSunday 28th September at 10am - Harvest Holy Communion Benefice service w. Wholeness & Healing, celebrating all of God's gifts - ShiplakeSunday 5th October at 11am - Harvest Morning Praise - Dunsden - followed by a Harvest LunchSunday 12th October at 9.30am - Harvest Morning Praise - HarpsdenSunday 19th October at 3pm - Harvest 3rd Sunday Afternoon Worship - Shiplake - followed by a Harvest TeaHarpsden Harvest LunchThe Harpsden Harvest Lunch will be held in Harpsden Village Hall on Saturday 27 September at 12.30.We are planning a bring and share finger buffet lunch and in the first instance would appreciate you letting me know, either by phone 07902545200 or email Valerie, if you wish to attend.Once we have numbers we shall send out suggestions for food and allocate to avoid 300 sausage rolls! Please also bring your own bottles and glasses.There will be singing and a quiz - so lots of fun as last year.Please let me know as soon as possible if you would like to attend. Please bring friends.Valerie Dunsden Harvest LunchThe Dunsden Harvest Lunch will be after the service on Sunday 5th October, 12.30 for 1.00. A two course lunch with a glass of wine and tea and coffee for a suggested donation of £10.00. Tickets and more information from Yvonne.Shiplake Harvest TeaThe Shiplake Harvest Bring & Share Tea will be after the 3rd Sunday at 3pm service on Sunday 19th October. Please bring a little something to share that would go with an afternoon tea and join the celebration. In the meantime, contact Vic for more information.
''Is it Time for Pimms''? - always!! As our special Benefice church family already know, our Patronal Festivals are always a time of greatest celebration of our dear Lord above and His Saints below.Last year's St. M's Patronal Festival held a ''Hymnathon'' which was well attended and much enjoyed. This Year, Caroline from St. M's choir, suggested ''Hymns and Pimms'', offered alongside soft drinks, which was very warmly welcomed by all those who attended and it was noted by some that ''Jo's Pimms'' was rather strong, but made the voices even more joyful in singing God's Praises.Over 40 singers joined this happy event after a wonderful Patronal Benefice Service and sang from a beautiful list of personal Hymn requests. Each request was coupled with a personal 'story' as to why they had been chosen which brought both laugher and tears - a truly bonding time of the specialness that is 'church family' at it's best.Dear Josie and helpers braved the threatened downpours (which thankfully stayed away) and held a Cake and Book Sale which, at the time of typing, we know has raised at least £350.00 with the additional Hymnathon and Gift Aid Day Donation's still coming in.So many have commented on how special our church family is ...... as someone said on the day ......''this IS St. Margaret's at its Best'' and who can ask for more ........shared Worship; shared Fellowship; shared devotion to ensuring our beloved Churches are open and available to all; shared Love of community, service and Faith, Amen. Jo xx
If you are not able to get to church for whatever reason, the Anna team are happy to come to you, whether for a visit or to enable you receive the sacrament of the consecrated bread and wine within your home. Contrary to some people’s understanding this doesn’t mean you are about to be called heavenwards, it’s just impractical for you to try to get to church. Please do ring Revd Heather 07946352026 in the first instance.
You may be aware of the plaque commemorating J B O Hall before the altar rail in Harpsden Church, and may have wondered whose it was and why it is there.As the centenary of my brother's birth approaches on Sunday 1 June, Revd Pam encouraged me to share this brief story. It was about 30 years ago that I was invited to meet the NADFAS team at the church. They showed me a handwritten letter from my father to Canon Watts, with the request that FIVE spaces be reserved in front of the altar rail for our family! It was the first time I had heard of the proposal, though I knew my brother was buried there. By then my parents' ashes had been buried in the sanctuary in Lewknor Church. Thus my brother remains distanced from his family as he was for too much of his life.Blessings Canon Christopher HallFor more on the story, please see the attached file:
