Christmas Shoeboxes 2023

shoebox appeal 2023

Christmas Shoeboxes 2023- Teams4U

This year we are again collecting individual items for shoeboxes as well as completed shoeboxes. If you would like to contribute items for a shoebox rather than a full shoebox, please see the details on the website of what is acceptable (we can only accept items from the list).

There is also the option to “sponsor a shoebox”. For £15 Teams4U will organise the shoebox on your behalf.

You can drop items off at Milton church (in a box at the back of the church) up until the service on 19 November.

Leaflets are available in Milton church or can be downloaded from the website https://teams4u.com/shoebox-resources/

Completed shoeboxes can be brought along to the special Shoebox service in Milton on 19 November at 9.30am or dropped off in Milton Church any time before then.

There are lots of ideas on what to include, a guide to what to do and other short videos and information online: https://teams4u.com/shoe-box-appeal-2023/

 

Prayers for the School October 2023

Hands Benefice Prayer

The Prayer for School group met on Thursday the 5th of October. We meet once a half term, just before pick-up time…

These were the topics that we prayed for:

  • For the Reception children that they settled into their new setting, for any still struggling with routines and building relationships that they would quickly find friendships and enjoy all the activities offered.

  • Pray for Mr Rubba and the staff as they manage covering some staffing changes. We prayed that they would feel sustained, be able to manage all the practicalities as We pray for the whole staff team as they support each other. We are grateful for their commitment to the school.

  • We prayed for the School Governors that they would be given wisdom as they deal with practical matters.

  • We prayed for the lunch times with a new organisation managing the dinners.

  • For the Y6 parents choosing secondary schools, we pray for a sense of peace when the applications go in. We pray for the children in Y6 that they would settle and enjoy the year and be able to leave the worries of next year to one side.

  • We pray for the year 3-4 group as they look at the topic of ‘Belonging’ and what Christian Communion means. We pray that they would enjoy the activities planned and gain an understanding of Jesus being ‘the Rescuer’, that they would feel confident to be curious and that their questions might be answered.

  • We prayed for the PTA Committee and all the events and activities they plan. We pray that they might have energy as well as inspiration as they try to support school and engage with the wider parent community.

  • We continue to hold Cassidy’s family in our thoughts and prayers…

  • We prayed for those children who have additional needs as they settle into a new school year. We prayed for the staff and Mrs Stratford, SENDCo, as they work with these children. We prayed that the children would quickly build relationships and the would be at ease in their new classes.

  • We prayed for the links between the school and the churches in the Wychwoods. We are thankful for they Open the Book activities and assemblies led by Reverend Karen. We pray for the Light Party at the Baptist Church in October.

  • We prayed for the parents who meet at the school gate, that the community as we support to new parents coming in as well as those who are familiar…that relationships would develop and grow.

  • We pray for the children across the school that they would have a real understanding of what it means to ‘Shine like lights in the world’…

If you would like to join us and pray in school or have a topic for prayer please contact: Jenny Miller on [email protected] or Jo Barham on [email protected]

Remembering loved ones who have died: All Souls’ Service Sunday 29 October 10.00am Milton Church

tealights

All Souls’ Service Sunday 29 October 10.00am Milton Church

We will once again be reading out the names of those who have died recently and remembering other departed loved ones we hold dear at this special service. During the service, there will also be an opportunity to light a candle in memory of your own loved ones. If you would like to add someone to the list of those to be remembered please call or email the office [email protected] or write on the sheets which will be in each of the churches until 22 October.

Harvest Festivals Sunday 8 October

Harvest Shipton and Fifield

Harvest Festivals

Come and celebrate with us!

Sunday 8 October

11.00am in Shipton followed by a bring and share lunch

11.00am in Fifield

Please help support the Community Foodbank and the Life Larder locally this Harvest by donating fresh produce and non-perishable food and goods.

Bring on the day or leave in any of our churches during the week before the Service.

Open Meeting for everyone to talk about what we would like in our next Vicar 14 October 2.30-4pm

open meeting to talk about new vicar

Open Meeting for everyone to talk about what we would like in our next Vicar

Saturday 14th October 2.30-4pm St Simon & St Jude Church, Milton-under-Wychwood

On Sunday 9th July, we said goodbye to Geoffery Clement who has moved to East Anglia after five years as our vicar.  It is now time to begin to look to the future and a wide consultation process is starting with an

Open Meeting on Saturday 14th October 2.30 – 4.00 Milton Church.

The process is being led for us by the Reverend Canon Charles Chadwick, Parish Development Adviser for the Dorchester Archdeaconry and Mission Department Lead for the Rural Church.

He writes, ‘Over recent years it has been found productive and beneficial for people across a benefice – both church attendees, other parishioners, those who represent schools, businesses and other institution such as parish councils –  to come together and acknowledge what is going well and what we want to thank God for, to consider what might be the key areas to consider over the next few years that the churches may develop their work, and in the light of this to think about what gifts and skills we should be seeking in our next vicar. These occasions, which are informal and always positive, go particularly well when there is a broad range of people present.’

The churchwardens would really like everyone’s thoughts and views in all of this that across the three parishes in each church we may worship and serve God and help people in a range of ways to catch a glimpse of the joy of the Christian faith that, in the words of our Benefice vision, “We may build God’s kingdom here on earth as in heaven”.

It would be useful to have an idea of who is attending.  Please contact
Clare Harper in the Benefice Office [email protected]
Tel 01993 832467.