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ST. MARY'S MATTERS

Crafting with flowers at holiday club

Dear Friends

This week we share photos from our final holiday club day. One helper put it like this:

"It was a day to remember. I am really looking forward to seeing the beautiful flowers and taste the fruits that will be harvested from the little seeds planted in the hearts of those children & adults attending the event today."

Please continue to pray for families over the long summer holidays, which can be a fantastic time for some families, but a tough time for others.

If you haven't had a chance to look at our job vacancies yet, then please do scroll down. Maybe you know just the person who would love to work for church or for The Branch. There are two or three great opportunities available, so please do forward these details to anyone that you think might be interested.

Finally, don't forget to sign up for the youth weekend away or the Away Day if you'd like to be part of those.

Praying that wherever you are this summer you know God's peace.

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

John 14:27

Building to Serve Prayers on pause

Please note Building to Serve prayers are now on pause until 6th September. We look forward to meeting again once the new term starts.

Setting a Watch

continues daily at 6am and 6pm
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88489690256?pwd=RG85M1pPbGRnbkhEaFVlKytCZmhTdz09

Meeting ID: 884 8969 0256
Passcode: SetAWatch

PICTURES OF THE WEEK

The last of our five holiday club days was held at FarmEd, the Farming and Food Education Centre near Shipton. We were able to invite lots of the families that we see and support throughout the year. The children were given a guided tour of the farm by the very brilliant Heidi and Emma, who work at FarmEd. Then the children made their own pizzas to have for lunch, and finished with the day with some crafts.

Catherine said, "It’s been so good to have the opportunity to catch up with some of the children I usually see in the Nurture Room (aka The Nurture Room Crew!) at the holiday club. It’s been especially precious to spend time with the adults and siblings too - to get active and creative and laugh and chat with them all.

In our work, we are passionate about coming alongside families as a whole - we know the value in looking at the big picture - and our holiday club activities have given us the perfect chance to hang out, build relationships and have fun together."

YOUTH WEEKEND AWAY

Hope you’re doing well and enjoying the summer holidays so far.

We are having a youth weekend away at Viney Hill Christian Adventure Centre at the end of the October half term.

The plan is to leave Chippy at 16:00 on the Friday in a coach and head down to Viney Hill (near the Forest of Dean). Breakfast, lunch and dinner will be included in the cost. We also have lots of activities for the young people to enjoy such as: Archery, Bridge Building, Introduction to Bush Craft, Crate Stack, Low Ropes, Team Building, Abseiling and Canoeing. Each day we will have a time of prayer, sung worship and a sermon each day where we can join together as a group to worship our Lord, hear the word and be spiritually fed. We will set off after lunch on the Sunday and be back in Chippy by 15:00.

I am praying that this will be a weekend which brings people together, deepens and strengthens their faith, and creates a space for everyone to really enjoy themselves. After what has been a really tough 18 months for everyone, particularly those in school, I am really excited to be able to go away for the weekend together and see what God has in store for us.

The cost of this weekend is £50 per person, and is available for anyone in school years 7-13. If the cost is going to be difficult then please speak to me, we don’t want money to be a barrier for this weekend.

If your child would like to come along then please email me on youth@stmaryscnorton.com and let me know by Thursday 2nd September.

-Joel

Contact Joel

FULL MOON HIKE - THIS SUNDAY

Sunday 22 August marks the return of our ever-popular Full-Moon Hike!

This time we start from the Parish Rooms, Church Street, at 8.00pm, walk via Salford and Little Rollright and return around 12.00 midnight!

Drinks and hot-dogs will be provided halfway round the 7-mile route. To confirm a place for this event, please contact John Marshall (07733 036741 marshall.john@outlook.com).

Info and consent form

CHURCH AWAY DAY

Let's Celebrate Being Together!

WATCH THIS WEEK'S AWAY DAY VIDEO

A chance to relax, eat, and worship together away from the usual routine of church. With crafts, creativity, climbing wall and bouncy castle, lawn games and tea & cakes.

Everyone is welcome and we'd love you to join us. Bring camping chairs/blankets and come ready to celebrate!

Save the date!

Sign up using the link below.

Sign-up for the Away Day

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

1. Creche Worker/Caretaker role

At The Branch we aim to provide spaces where people can grow, connect and step into playing a meaningful part in their community.

We are looking for an individual who can be a part of this work by helping to create a clean, safe and welcoming space for those joining our courses and activities, and by caring for our visitors’ pre-school children.

2. Finance role/s

St Mary’s PCC and The Branch Trust are seeking to appoint either the same person (to a combined role), or two suitably qualified people (one to each role) who will enjoy:

i) playing a full part in our church life while taking on and continuing to shape our day-to-day financial administration at St Mary’s Church (14 hours per week) and/or

ii) taking on the day-to-day financial administration and helping to shape the financial systems for The Branch Trust (8 hours per week).

Please click on these links to see more detailed role descriptions or pass this email on to anyone who you think might be interested.

Find out more and apply

RESOURCE OF THE WEEK

Book: Salvation in my Pocket (Fragments of Faith and Theology) by Benjamin Myers

Recommended by Emily

Australian Theologian, Benjamin Myers (writer of "the shortest ever commentary on the whole Bible") brings together short reflections and stories, including from his blog posts, in this absolute gem of a book.

From the Preface: "The short pieces assembled in Salvation in My Pocket are miniature experiments in Christian joy. They are attempts at describing the difference God makes to ordinary experience, and to discover glimpses of God's light in everyday life. If there is any thread that holds these haphazard reflections together, it is just the conviction that beneath the surface of things there lurks an invitation, gentle and alluring; that even in sadness and misfortune there is always rising up, as if from hidden wells, the promise of peace; and that the final word spoken over this world, and over each human life, will be a word of joy."

The book is quirky, wise, satisfying and, although quick to read, will leave you mulling over new ideas and insights for a long time.

Salvation in my Pocket

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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
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