Steeple Ashton Christians Together Advent Lunch Rosemary’s report s- On Tuesday 2nd December we held an Advent Lunch, in the village hall, welcoming everyone. We knew the number would be small; many would be attending the funeral of a village friend, and we had received apologies for aches, pains and had even considered cancelling! On my way to set up for the lunch, I met a man looking around the church while his friends went for a walk over a distance that he couldn’t manage. I took him to the Village Hall so he could use the WC (we do not have one at the church), I explained to him that we were having a lunch and invited him to come and join us as no one understands the instruction ‘bring a small plate of food to share’, so there is always plenty to eat. Setting up the hall takes no effort – everyone muscles in. We said grace; someone went off to brew us all a cuppa, and we began to eat. Then shortly after we had started eating in came my new friend with his friend - and another friend - and another two friends - In the end we had eight friends as guests and we shared fellowship and had a lot of fun together. In a nutshell our lunch turned out to be a great success. The donations pot was overflowing and we were able to send £125 to Water Aid. Join us on Shrove Tuesday for our Lent Lunch - February 17th (with or without a plate!) Christians Together exists in Steeple Ashton so that our churches can offer support to each other, and to all Christians in the parish. We exist to be a witness to all parishioners with or without faith. Amongst other activities, we host two lunches each year to draw attention to two important Christian seasons which would pass unobserved by an increasing number of villagers.
To mark our Patronal Festival we are having weekend of events on a theme of Musical Theatre. Friday September 5th - on Friday evening we have a Preview Evening to launch the weekend 7pm to 9pm - come along and be amongst the first to see the colourful and imaginative tableaus made by ten groups and business within the village, each display is based upon a different show. (Admission is Free)Saturday 6th September During the daytime we have a mix of things to come an enjoy.Walk around the church to view the colourful and imaginative displays made by ten groups and business within the village We have a Children's Story time at 11.30am and 2.30pm.There will be Coffee served from 10.30am and then later we will be serving Tea & Cake between 2 - 4pm. During the afternoon there will be live music - There is a return visit to St Mary's of the Hurdy Gurdy duo playing on their amazing instruments and Quintessential will also be performing.(Admission is Free)Saturday evening at 7.30pm We have a special concert by White Horse Opera who will be presenting a varied programme tilted Music from the Shows. (It could not really be anything else !)Ticket are £10 from the Village Shop [also on the door subject to availability]Sunday 7th September our Patronal Service is at 11am and is a service of Holy Communion led by Revd Katey Minshall.From 12.30 pm the church will be open for further viewing of the colourful and imaginative displays on the theme of musical theatre.
On 17th July St Mary’s was awarded Bronze Status in the Eco-Church scheme - read Rosemary's introductory article below. For more info on the Eco-Church programme see https://arocha.org.uk/what-we-do/eco-church/ St Mary’s is a grade 1 listed building, deservedly so, it is a beautiful church dedicated in 1500 so being awarded an Eco-Church bronze award is very gratifying. Over many years the small team have worked to fulfil our obligations to our creator God.Caring for those in need wherever they are and whatever their needs is an accepted Christian duty and a comparatively, and long standing, easy response. Caring for the rest of creation was we felt more of a challenge! But we have reduced our carbon footprint by several initiatives –LED lighting to have been the simplest and offsetting the carbon used at events buy planting a tree being a joy. We are dedicated to recycling and using ethical products wherever we can. Sharing and encouraging one another in the congregation is important.Our wild area is important but on heavy clay hard work! Easier is the releasing of butterflies on our brambles each year. Within the church we have information about wildlife and we enjoy an annual Creation week end which includes the wildflower count and a children’s activity. There is much more we do, and much more to do, but we are proud to have moved this far, so far!Well done to Rosemary for all her hard work on guiding us to this wonderful achievement - next stop on the journey Silver?
