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ST. MARY'S MATTERS
Mother's Day packs for delivery!
Dear Friends

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Matthew 6:19-21
 Treasure in Heaven - the Unseen Acts of Service

I love this verse from the Bible.  I think I probably quote it to my children too often when I am convincing them to help out with chores!  But I also know it has got me through some tough moments when I have felt pushed to my limits.
 
It also makes me reflect on the many people who are giving up so much of their time and energy to serve others at the moment, often in unseen ways.  I know this only spotlights the tip of the iceberg.  I also know the two I am about to spotlight will not welcome acknowledgement, but they really set me a wonderful example of just what goes on in the background day after day in the life of the Church.
Every Monday since November Jasper has got out of bed super early to meet me in the Aldi carpark at 7.30am - we have contended with avalanches of food off pallet trolleys in the middle of the car park, the van frozen completely shut in the snow, and endless last minute dashes around the store.  He has been calm, patient, reliable and always good humoured whatever job has been thrown at him.  This week he has had to “retire” to return to his studies, but I just want to acknowledge the valiant job he has done in the background week after week.  Thank you Jasper!
 
Then to the slightly older - this week John has been spotted perched at the top of the ladder in the graveyard and on week day mornings he has been opening up the yurt and lighting the stove so it’s nice and toasty when families arrived.
 
So, thank you Lord for ALL the wonderful volunteers in the background, their dedication and acts of service which whilst they may not be acknowledged bring you great pleasure.
-Emma
Mother's Day flowers for delivery!

Sundays

 

Easter Day, Sunday 4th April, 10.30am
Family Service in church

 

Other Sundays until further notice

Each Sunday we'll be posting a Virtual Sunday video on our website and YouTube channel.
 

Thursday Services

We'll keep you posted...

Prayer meetings

 

Setting a Watch

Continues daily at 6am and 6pm, via Zoom (link below)

Building to Serve Prayer Meeting

Continues every Monday at noon, via Zoom

Lectio Divina

12 noon every weekday via Zoom (link below)

WELLBEING PACKS: GENTLENESS

This week's wellbeing pack is themed around "gentleness" and includes a hot chocolate spoon recipe, puzzles and ideas for Mothering Sunday.
Virtual Wellbeing packs

ALL ABOUT CHURCHSUITE

Everyone in the church family is welcome to join "ChurchSuite". On ChurchSuite you can:

  • Find emails and phone numbers of other church members;
  • Check when you're serving on a rota;
  • Sign up to events;
  • Update your contact details; and
  • Look at your small group information and message your group.

The best way to see what ChurchSuite does is to log in and try it. As church opens up again it will become more and more useful.

If you're new (or even if you're not) and would like a login please email: office@stmaryscnorton.com.

Click below to find out more about what it does and how to use it.
All about ChurchSuite

SATURDAY CRAFTING
Following the success of our last "Saturday Crafting" we'll be running another one a week tomorrow (Saturday 20th March) at 10.30am.

The idea is to have a relaxed morning in good company while having a go at some of the crafts in the wellbeing packs.

This time we’ll be making macramé keyrings You don't need any particular skills or experience! Whether older or younger, well known to the church family or still feeling new, you’d be so welcome.

(Source your own materials from home or collect from the church porch.)

Topic: Saturday craft-along
Time: Mar 20, 2021 10:30 AM London

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/83508689368?pwd=R1ZSN0JNSWE5S0wwUjgyS2Z5anI0Zz09

Meeting ID: 835 0868 9368
Passcode: 383864
Saturday Crafting invitation

WE'RE RECRUITING!

Are you passionate about transforming the church to engage in a digital era?

St Mary’s Chipping Norton is looking for a creative and motivated Design and Communications Officer (Part-time, 10-14hrs/week).

  • to join our supportive team at an exciting time of new opportunity for the church;
  • to help us to use different media to further our mission to Live IN God’s Love and to Live OUT God’s love;
  • to develop both internal and external communications;
  • to help us to establish a more solid digital foundation for our ministries.

Please click on the links below to download a Role Description and Application Form 

Applications to be returned to:

St Mary's Church Office, Church Street, Chipping Norton, OX7 5NT, Telephone:  01608 646202. Email:  emily.oshea@stmaryscnorton.com

Click here for Role Description

Click here to download Application form

Shareable job advert

LECTIO DIVINA
Sorry if you didn't get on last Monday. Technical hitches all sorted now (hopefully!)

We'd like to offer the opportunity, for anyone who would like to join us online, to pause at midday of every weekday in Lent and engage in 15 minutes of Lectio Divina. We'll listen to a passage of Scripture being read slowly two or three times, taking note of any specific words or phrases that God spotlights to us as being particularly relevant to our lives in that moment. 

Do join us as often as you would like. There’ll always be someone leading a session, Mondays to Fridays from Ash Wednesday (17th February) up to the Easter weekend itself.

Topic:  Lectio Divina
Time: 12:00 PM London
        
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84954482956?pwd=MU9TNVZ5cUthRFI0Zm9aaGwwUHJwdz09

Meeting ID: 849 5448 2956
Passcode: 134711

SETTING A WATCH
We'll be continuing to meet to pray via Zoom at 6am and 6pm daily for Building to Serve, as well as our world, nation, community, church and each other.

Topic: 'Setting a Watch' prayer time

Join Zoom Meeting
https://zoom.us/j/98265036092?pwd=VEZqNEl5K0t2T1NYU1k0OXBkV0NIUT09

Meeting ID: 982 6503 6092
Passcode: SetAWatch

Find your local number: https://zoom.us/u/a1VRI10kA

GET OUT AND KNOW YOUR TOWN
Get Out and Know Your Town - NOW INCLUDING TOWN CENTRE (EAST)

Do you know where the pelicans are in Chipping Norton? Which road really is The Pitts? And what on earth is a gnomon?!?

These and many other questions are addressed in these lovingly created town guides. Perfect for getting out and about while avoiding the mud!
 
Get out and know your town

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK
Revelation Road by Nick Page

Recommended by Emily.

If you're looking to completely understand the book of Revelation... well, good luck with that! This book doesn't promise to give all the answers but it does give fascinating insights into some of the the background, people, culture and symbolism of Revelation as the author travels to Patmos, Smyrna, Pergamum and the five other churches looking for answers.

Half study, half travel-diary, this quirky little book left me amused, challenged and having a few mini-revelations of my own.
 
Revelation Road
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What's happening soon?

Minis Wed 10th Dec The Branch, Market Place More info
Thursday Worship Thu 11th Dec Parish Rooms More info
Come for Tea Fri 12th Dec Parish Rooms More info
View the full calendar