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NEWS FROM ST MARY'S CHURCH

SERVING OUR COMMUNITY

Well, today has been a busy day...

Donations of freezers have arrived as we plan to set up “Mary’s Meals” frozen family meals that will be distributed to particularly those families who are dependent on free school meals, but also families and individuals who are struggling with illness.

So many of you have offered to volunteer and we are busy collating lists and matching people to jobs. So far today we have linked the people to go and help triage patients, deliver medicine and help with admin at the Health Centre. Wigwam offered their van to collect freezers. 

The polyanthus that we normally give out on Mothering Sunday have been given to the teachers and admin staff at the three schools in town and the healthcare workers at the hospital and health centre to thank them for the AMAZING work they are doing and to assure them of our prayers.
If you would like to be added to the volunteer database then please click here and let us know what you would like to do.
Judith is doing an amazing job setting up a “Phone Web” making sure that those living alone who are self isolating are getting a chance to chat on the phone once a week.
If you would like to volunteer for this or would like to receive a call please click here.
Flyers have been sent out in book bags with all school children and will be available around the town signposting people to resources, and I am busy negotiating with supermarkets how we can order in food to stock freezers (we had been in conversation with Cottsway Housing who have agreed to put some money towards this).  We are also busy delivering 5000 “I can help” cards to supermarkets, garages and churches, to encourage people to pop an offer of help through a neighbour's door - let us know if you receive one!

Meanwhile lots of people are asking how they can contribute towards all of this.  Here are some ideas:
  • you can volunteer, 
  • you could buy a meal for Mary’s Meals when you are out shopping (lasagne, pie, sausages, joint of meat) and drop it off in the freezer which is down in the Church - the doors are open, you just walk in, open the freezer and pop it in.  So sorry, but we are unable to accept anything homemade.  
  • Others, who can’t get to the shops are wanting to make a donation - you can do this by clicking here, or sending a cheque to the Church Office reference "C-19”, then we will make sure it reaches the families who really need it as the weeks go on.
So it has been a busy day - oh! I nearly forgot the most important thing.  Today saw the launch of “The Chippy Larder”, a group you can join and pay a monthly subscription to, and can choose products that were surplus to supermarkets' requirements, but in date - so a brilliant way to reduce food waste.  Currently it is FREE.  That will operate from the Leisure Centre every Friday between 3-4.30pm. Today they have received 120 boxes, I will let you know how that went. If you would like to join the scheme - it is open to everyone - please email thechippylarder@gmail.com. 

So please be encouraged that much is going on in the town to help our neighbours and we will continue to share good news stories.  THANK YOU FOR ALL YOU ARE DOING AND FOR YOUR PRAYERS.
Please be praying for:
  • the healthworkers who are doing AMAZING work and are stretched
  • teachers having to make plans to take care children of essential workers 
  • protection around the team, who are working flat out
  • pray for Rizvana who is leading “The Chippy Larder” scheme
  • God to prompt who he wants you to reach out to - whether it is on the phone or in other ways
God bless,
-Emma

KEEPING CONNECTED

Do you want to stay in touch with your small group, or talk to your friends using your laptop, but don't know how?

Well, fret not! Toby and Jonny have made some excellent videos explaining how you can do just that. Please click on the links below:

Instructions for setting up Google Hangouts
To use google hangouts you must have a gmail email account.

To set one up, please follow the simple steps on this link

To either set up a google hangout or join an existing one, please watch the tutorials we have created using the following links.

Setting Up a Google Hangout

Joining In via link

We hope these are helpful in creating community in a virtual setting.

If you have any problems, please follow this link

OUR LATEST SERMON...ON THE TELEPHONE!
To listen to St. Mary's sermons and services from a landline number, please call: 01183 240971. Try it - it really works! (When it says "press any key to execute code", literally just press any number.)

This will connect you to the most recent content and we'll update it regularly. If you know someone who doesn't have internet, maybe ring them and let them know. (The call should cost the same as a normal call, and it depends on your tariff; please don't rack up a huge bill!)

Don't forget to check out our website for lots more useful resources.
Resources for staying at home

KEEP PRAYING
"prayers in the Old Bank are postponed until further notice"

However, if anyone is keen to continue praying together through an online platform please email (georgina@stmaryscnorton.com) and I will endeavour to set up a 'virtual' prayer group to continue praying between 12 and 1pm on Mondays. This will be trialled this coming Monday 23rd March so please reply by Sunday evening at the latest so that you can be included in the 'virtual' group. We are all being given the opportunity to get better at using this technology which is simpler to access in reality than it may at first appear so please don't be put off!

Thank you to all those who are committed to praying into God's plans for the Old Bank, and for the building to serve project.  We will continue to update you through the Prayer Tree so that we can all pray as and when we can.
-Gina
Contact Gina

AND FINALLY...
If you need food, help or just a chat then please don't hesitate to get in touch. You're not alone. Contact office@stmaryscnorton.com, call 01608 646202 between 10am and 12noon, or 07418 059434 if it's more urgent.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."
(Romans 8:38-39)
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What's happening soon?

Thursday Worship Thu 25th Apr St Mary's Church, Chipping Norton More info
BCP Holy Communion Sun 28th Apr St Mary's Church, Chipping Norton More info
Sunday Service in Church Sun 28th Apr St Mary's Church, Chipping Norton More info
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