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ST. MARY'S MATTERS
Enjoying company and sunshine at this week's small group barbecue
Dear Friends
This week I had a coffee with a friend in a coffee shop and I went to a barbecue with my small group. What a treat! I'm not sure about anyone else, but given what we've been used to, I probably need to lie down for a bit to recover.

The Bible tells us to "Rejoice with those who rejoice, mourn with those who mourn" (Romans 12:15), and this maybe sums up a lot of what happens in small group. I recently watched a YouTube video about loneliness, claiming that one in four people report that they don't feel emotionally connected to anyone else, and showing how this can be devastating for our physical health as well as, not surprisingly, our mental health too. It's certainly "not good...to be alone" (Gen 2:18)

To those of you who have hung on to your small group connections; online, via the phone or by sending WhatsApp messages, letters and gifts; WELL DONE. I have to say it hasn't been easy and I'm so grateful for people in my small group who have helped me to stay connected. It was so good to be back together in one place this week and see people in 3D again.

If you find small group tough then you're certainly not the only one. There are lots of reasons why small group might be hard including our busyness, shyness, less-than-good past experiences with small groups, worry that we'll be judged for our lack of church knowledge or maybe the feeling that being "placed" in a group feels a little contrived. It's a long list!

But finding people to share life, food and worship with is its own reward, and I've found that the more "real" I've been with my group (I don't find this easy by the way) the better it works! I imagine that many of us have had the experience of going to small group feeling tired and frayed, and only attending because we "ought" to, and coming away feeling supported, blessed, understood and inspired. 

"For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them.”

Matthew 18:20

Youth on Sundays

 

Important message for those in school years 9 to 13

During the summer, on weeks when the weather is good enough for us to meet outside, Ablaze (the youth group that meets during the service on Sunday morning) will be open to all secondary school age year groups not just years 7 & 8.

Let's keep a hopeful eye on the weather...

FLORAL BLESSINGS
Sherry shares with us how God shows his love for us, even in the seemingly little things.

Lovely flowers have been a real feature of this week for me. Monday found me in the vicarage garden with a barrow full of beautiful Sweet Williams that had been kindly donated from Jim and Isobel's garden, we made these into tied bunches which were then passed on to bless some of the ladies that the Church is working alongside.

On Tuesday evening, I went to the Church for a wedding rehearsal and was concerned to note that the lovely floral displays from a previous wedding were clearly at the end of their life - some said they were dried flowers, I thought dead! The couple had no plans to replace these, but had a florist coming in the morning to do outside displays and pew ends.

My prayer on Wednesday morning was for the lovely couple getting married and that God would bless the practical arrangements as well as the service. I then went down to the Church in plenty of time to dispose of the old displays which had been bothering me - Well The Lord was well ahead of me, Jo was already in the Church dismantling the displays and the afore mentioned florist was creating what he had been asked to do. Jo didn't know there was a wedding and was there with the intention of doing her usual church flowers, at this point the florist produced some lovely alliums and gyp and asked if we would like them.

Praise the Lord who takes care of all things that matter to us - with the addition of a few blooms, Jo was able to produce two lovely arrangements which completed a lovely backdrop to what was a beautiful wedding on a lovely bright and sunny day.

Now God has sent rain to water and refresh our gardens. I will eventually learn to trust that God is God who considers every detail in our lives.
-Sherry

ARE YOU THE PERSON WE'RE LOOKING FOR?
Are you the person we are looking for?

At St Mary’s Church we have a close relationship with our Primary School – St Mary’s CE (A) Primary School, situated in The Green, Chipping Norton.

Our clergy visit the school each week to share assemblies and acts of worship. St Mary’s Church has been instrumental in setting up the Nurture Room and, when COVID regulations allow, a Drop-In for parents. Before the pandemic struck the pupils and staff of the school would visit St Mary’s Church for Harvest Festival, Christmas Services, Easter Services and an end of year Leavers’ Service – all very important highlights in the school life of the children. St Mary’s Church family members have been involved in organising the very successful Prayer Spaces, from which the children have really benefitted. Further, the St Mary’s Church building has been used within the Curriculum, with Church visits for those children learning about local history.
So our links with our primary school are strong. We can show our further support by becoming a Foundation Governor and serving on the Governing Body  of the school. Currently we have a vacancy for such a position.

In terms of commitment, there are 5 full governors’ meetings in each academic year, held in the evenings, with opportunities to serve on sub-committees, if interested. Training is available for new governors.

Do you have a heart for supporting our school families and community in this way?

Are you interested in this role and feel God calling you to serve?

Then please contact James Kennedy via Yvonne Champion: yvonne.champion@stmaryscnorton.com.
Get in touch

ENGLAND ON THE BIG SCREEN 
For any young people who come along to the small group on Tuesday evenings, next week (22nd June) will be a great chance to enjoy some social time together and watch the football on the big screen.

The group will be starting a little earlier than usual, at 6:30pm, meeting in the park for a game of ultimate frisbee, before heading back to the Parish Rooms for our Bible study. We will then have the projector screen on to watch the England game together afterwards, with kick off at 8pm.

The meeting will finish around 9:45pm. People from the younger year groups are very welcome to join, but we appreciate that it's a school night - so no pressure!
-Joel

SETTING A WATCH
We continue 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

NATIONAL SMILE MONTH

To mark National Smile Month - yes, that really is a thing! - this week due to a large donation of toothbrushes from Boots every child at St Mary’s School will be receiving a new toothbrush!  Hope that makes you smile too!  

Thank you Boots!
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What's happening soon?

Connect Café Tue 9th Dec The Branch, Market Place More info
Minis Wed 10th Dec The Branch, Market Place More info
Thursday Worship Thu 11th Dec Parish Rooms More info
View the full calendar