OPEN THE BOOK – PRIMARY SCHOOL ASSEMBLIES
We are delighted that Open the Book teams are still in all our local primary schools, and some are completing their ninth year. That is quite a lot of storytelling! It also represents a lot of dedication turning up to school every week in all kinds of weather. So, our grateful thanks and appreciation for all those doing this valuable work with our children.
If you hear anyone moaning “Of course our children don’t hear about the Bible in school anymore like they used to!” please respond “Oh yes they do! ALL our children in Cirencester hear a Bible story every week in school – from the Open the Book team” Also school leavers at Powell’s and Watermoor are presented by the team with a bible, and so will Chesterton children this year.
The storytelling is still spreading rapidly throughout the country, and storytellers have increased from 1,600 last year to 3,040 this year. Groups started in 24 new towns including Penrith, Looe and Milford Haven. The 1000th storyteller in Gloucestershire was taken by surprise at Elmbridge Infants, Gloucester and presented with an Open the Book sweatshirt. Be proud that the first town in our County to have all schools with Open the Book was Cirencester.
All the stories are based on Bob Hartman’s Lion Storyteller Bible and it was great to hear him being interviewed by Aled Jones on Radio 2 In the latest edition of his book Bob has added another 25 stories; many of which are being introduced to our schools.
Our two founder members in the county were Dianne Brookes and Jacqueline Rodwell who dedicated their lives to getting Open the Book up and running. Since then the demands of Jacqueline’s ministry as Vicar means she has had to step down, but we shall always be indebted for her vision and cheerful dedication. Dianne carries on as the main organizer, now with Julie Jefferies setting up a National training network and travelling all over the country. As always, Open the Book is a charity depending on voluntary donations from both churches and individuals. If you think this work is worth supporting, please support it! David G P Williams
St LAWRENCE CHURCH WARDENS REPORT
In 2009 the Revd Margaret Bettis stepped down from her position as Priest with responsibility for St Lawrence. For the past three years she has restored regular worship, pastoral care, and has supported the clergy by officiating at weddings, funerals and baptisms on a regular basis. She will continue to administer the Holy Eucharist once a month at St Lawrence. The post at Holy Trinity Church, Watermoor has been filled by the Revd Howard Gilbert, his role being Associate Vicar with responsibility for the pastoral care of St Lawrence. Holy Eucharist and Morning Worship will be covered by the clergy, Deacons and Lay Readers.
Mrs. June Godsell has stepped down from her post as Church Warden and Mrs Margaret Austin remains Church Warden. Miss Penny Phillips is PCC member and a representative at the Diocesan meetings. Mrs Joan Blake resigned through other commitments.
Our church life has remained constant, Holy Communion is given to the sheltered accommodation at Countess Lilias Road, Elm Grove, Chestnut Lodge, Abbeyfield and to Mrs Kilby, thus maintaining our outreach to the community. The music is provided on a weekly rota by Howard and Rosemary Gray, Sheila Stevens, Margaret Thomas and Jill Wilkinson and our music centre. Chesterton Senior Citizens donated £100 to buy another set of CDs for the music centre.
From the fund raising and coffee mornings, and donations from an 80th birthday party new linen has been purchased to cover the altar, together with purificators, lavabo towels and a corporal costing approximately £500. A burse and veil has been given anonymously.
The churchwarden and congregation would like to thank everyone for their support and prayers throughout the year.
Margaret Austin
ST LAWRENCE FABRIC REPORT
During 2009/2010 the bookings of the hall have increased considerably due to the improvement in the building. The gas heaters needed a lot of money spent on repairs and, after careful consideration of the continuing expensive repair costs, it was agreed, with the permission of the PCC, to install central heating and a new cost effective hot water system. A ‘cistermiser’ was fitted to the urinals in the Gents’ toilet to eliminate the need to turn the cold water supply off constantly when the building was not used.
Defects in the building work, by the previous builders, were found in the stonework over the front entrance, causing rainwater to penetrate over the door causing excessive damp and wet to get into the lobby entrance.
Smoke alarms have been fitted in the hall and a heat detector fitted in the kitchen. The building now complies with the new fire regulations which were issued recently. Margaret Austin
SOCIAL REPORT
We began this year with a “murder and mystery” written and directed by Howard and Rosemary Gray- a most entertaining evening. Who Dun it? I don’t know. Thank you very much; we will call again.
Next, Trinity Sunday picnic, lovely as always; sadly without Warwick and Helena but plenty of good company. Then we went to St Lawrence for Tea @ Three, lots of scones and cake and cream, more cake and lots more cream and a few more scones - very nice, I did enjoy it. All too soon, Harvest; we all enjoyed the pig roast and a good old singsong. I must say a big thank you to Tony Clack who always helps me out with the entertainment on most of the events. Then the weather set in, not much happeninguntil pancake night. The ladies made the mix and the cooks made about 300 pancakes. The Vicar opened the night with prayer and tossing a pancake. But the highlight of the night came when Fr Howard and the Vicar competed in “the highest pancake toss” and the winner was a draw. I must say a” big” thank you to the parish office for their help with posters, tickets and adverts in the pew sheets. So “thank you Howard and every one in the office”. I would also like to thank you all, for over the past year we were able to help with the cost of the chairs for the parish hall Watermoor - £800 and that’s a lot of chairs.
Well that’s it for another year. Thank you to all my committee for their work and enthusiasm. For myself, I have been chairman for about ten years so I have decided to retire at the end of the year. If any one would like to join us please contact any of the committee members or me; it is a lot of fun and not hard work. God bless,
John Lawrence
LITTLE ANGELS
As always it is sad to say goodbye to those who have loyally attended over the years and are now off to school. The numbers during last summer seemed to tail off but with the new school year we have had more and more attendees. Since Christmas the numbers are averaging 16 children and we have two sets of twins which is lovely. The Parish Centre has proved a popular meeting place but the feeling is that it is important to move back into St Johns for the children to become familiar with the church setting. Over the summer we are beginning to move back and hopefully by September will once more be meeting regularly there.
Rosemary Franklin
PARISH CHURCH SACRISTY AND SERVERS’ REPORT
It is good to have the use of the entire Church once more, enabling us to process properly, with the Organ finished and back in use. When we have removed the large chests from the Garstang Chapel, this can again be used for services.
During the year, we have celebrated Father Leonard’s 25 years as a Priest and Father John’s 50th anniversary, both very moving services. On the 13th March, 2010, we have the celebration of Canon David Yerburgh’s 50th Anniversary in the Catherine Chapel. He came to Cirencester as Curate and was ordained to the Priesthood in 1960.
At the time of writing, we have on order a portable wooden Lectern for use in the Chapels, kindly donated by one of our Servers. We have also acquired a White Burse and Veil for St. Lawrence, again donated by one of the Servers.
We are hoping to open the Tower again this year to raise money for the Church Porch Campaign. I should be grateful for offers of help with this.
We are always pleased to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a Server. All ages are welcome, full training is given and we are a very friendly crowd.
Finally, I should like to thank all the Serving Team, the assistant Sacristans, Eileen for washing the small linen and Jean who covered for Eileen, for their dedication and help during the year.
Brian Bruton (Head Sacristan)
HOLY TRINITY CONGREGATIONAL COMMITTEE
Since the last AGM of the Congregation of Holy Trinity held on 6th May 2009 five meetings of the Committee have taken place in Holy Trinity Church on a Wednesday evening.
A variety of subjects have been widely discussed ranging from the Fabric of the Church, Music, Church Flowers, Worship and Pastoral Care, Sunday School, Christian Aid and Churches Together.
At our meeting in November Father Howard was welcomed to his first Meeting with us and set out some of his thoughts on the future life of Holy Trinity. Notices of future Committee Meetings are printed in the Pew Sheet for the two previous Sundays and if any member of the Congregation has any matter they wish brought forward at those Meetings we shall be pleased to discuss it. A copy of the Minutes of the previous Meeting is displayed on the Notice Board.
Brenda Lissimore (Secretary)
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