On 28th January we are hosting a group of clergy from Sweden who are interested in what rural ministry looks like in Britain. They will be talking to various people, visiting the Day Centre, attending Midday Prayers, seeing an assembly at our Church School, dropping in at Afternoon Tea and observing at our JPCC. We hope it will be a full and interesting day for them. It would be great if they could meet some of you, so if you would like to come to Afternoon Tea, drop into the Benefice Centre at lunch or supper time or come to Midday prayers.
Wychwood Benefice Away Day 2016
Away Day Sunday 31 January 10am-4pm
Our Away Day is going to be held at the House of Bread, Burmington. The day will be led by Charles Chadwick, Parish Development Adviser for Dorchester Archdeaconry. The purpose of the day will be to move from hopes and dreams to nuts and bolts. Our JPCC has identified four groups; Worship, Hospitality, Children and Young People and Social Action and everyone will be encouraged to join the group that they are most interested in. Each group will gather, discuss and identify one specific, measurable goal for the coming year that will move us towards our vision. This will be a really exciting day, Charles is great, and very experienced, and we will come away with our remit for the year in challenging but achievable goals. Please do consider being a part of it.
Opportunities for a Happy, Friendly New Year!
Some of the opportunities for a happy, friendly New Year!
It is a great joy to me that this benefice is such a friendly, hospitable place. Here is a reminder of the many ways we gather, to be sociable, to welcome and to grow as disciples. I wonder if you, a friend or neighbour might enjoy any of these?
We have Midday Prayers through the week; Monday in Milton, Tuesday in Fifield, Thursday in Idbury, Friday in Shipton.
We have Communions once a month in Tall Trees on a Monday, The Paddocks and Old Prebendal on a Tuesday, Day Centre on a Thursday; do you know someone who would appreciate a smaller, warmer, more comfortable space for communion?
We also have Songs of Praise once a month in Tall Trees on a Monday, and the Day Centre on a Thursday; do you know someone who loves to sing?
Coffee Club on a Tuesday in the Benefice Centre, Afternoon Tea on a Thursday in the Paddocks and Coffee Morning on a Tuesday in Old Prebendal are all lovely times to get together with others for a chat. Do you know someone who is a little isolated who might enjoy the opportunity?
Homegroups are places where we enjoy one another’s company and discuss the readings for the coming week. These are day time and evenings in different locations. Perhaps this year you want to dig a little deeper in your faith?
Hope Street and Playhouse are spaces where whole families can explore the Christian faith, enjoy fellowship with others and have fun.
We have a lot to be proud of, so do let people know what their church offers – we have posters and flyers, but an invitation from a friend is always the best.
Special Musical Service to Celebrate 900 Years of St Mary’s
Sunday 27 December, 2015 10am
Shipton Choir will be joined by the 40 voices of Pure Sound Youth Choir from St Luke’s, Houston, Texas. Bob Chilcott has composed a special carol which is dedicated to both the choir of St Mary’s Shipton and the choir of St Luke’s, Texas to commemorate 900 years of St Mary’s Church and this will be sung at this special service. Do join us for this final, special service of 2015.
Christmas Services
Here is an overview of the services in the Wychwood Benefice this Christmas time.
Christingle is a wonderful service where we retell the Christmas story and where we remember all the wonderful things we have. It is also an opportunity to give to children who do not have as much as us through the work of the Children’s Society. The Children’s Society
The first Christingle Service is in Fifield Church on Sunday 13 December at 11am.
There are two Christingle Services on Christmas Eve at 4pm: Come along to Shipton or Milton church dressed up in Nativity costumes for some singing, acting, storytelling and fun.
You might want to come along to make the Christingles too! 23rd December at 10am in the Benefice Centre – it’s always lots of fun, with very sticky fingers.
Carols by Candlelight
Thursday 17 December
7.00pm Carols by Candlelight Fifield
Sunday 20 December
4.00pm Carols by Candlelight Idbury
5.00pm Carols by Candlelight Milton
6.00pm Nine Lessons and Carols by Candlelight Shipton
Christmas Eve Thursday 24 December
11.00pm Midnight Communion Fifield
11.00pm Midnight Communion Milton
Christmas Day Friday 25 December
9.30am Christmas Communion Milton
11.00am Christmas Communion Idbury
11.00am Christmas Communion Shipto
Click on the link below or scroll down for a list of services in the Benefice this Christmas Season.
Christmas Bazaar Milton Church Saturday 12 December 10am-2pm
It’s on Saturday 12 December between 10 and 2 in the Milton Church of St Simon and St Jude. Coffee, cakes etc in the morning and then bacon rolls, mulled wine etc around lunchtime.
You can buy some lovely Christmassy food and gifts plus there’s fun children’s activities so there should be something for everyone.
We would love donations of food items, cards, crafts, table and tree decorations which can be taken to the Benefice Centre (the building next to the church) during Clare Harper hours ie Monday and Friday mornings – otherwise can be left in the church Do come along – let’s make it a party!
Shoe Box Sunday Success!
Thank you to everyone who made up and gave a Christmas shoebox. We collected 86 in all which was 15 up on last year and a great effort. The photo shows all the boxes around the altar in the church – they had been passed by a human chain made by the congregation from the back to the front of the church where they were blessed by the vicar Kate Stacey before being sent on their way. Some from the New Wychwood Singers joined us to sing 2 special songs and the service also included the baptism of a baby – so it was a service of real celebration!
Shoe Box Sunday 22 November 9.30am Milton Church (Operation Christmas Child)
Shoe Box time is coming! Last year, for the first time, we sent off 73 boxes from Milton Parish Church to children in eastern Europe thanks to your generosity. This year we are hoping that more of our community will join in this event. We will be working with the school and the local youth organisations and hope to beat last year’s fantastic effort. Each shoe box can bring so much happiness to a child who has nothing. Will you help us this year to let these children know someone cares. Last year we had wrapped shoe boxes in the library and the church, and we are hoping we can do the same again this year. We will be dedicating our boxes at our special ‘Shoe Box Sunday’ in Milton Parish Church on 22 November at 9.30am. Come along and see what a difference they make, and give our shoe boxes a great send-off. It will make you feel great too!
Remembrance Services Sunday 8 November
Services are taking place as follows in the Benefice on Sunday 8 November:
9.30am Milton Church – to include Parade
10.50am Meeting at the War Memorial on the Village Green in Shipton
10.50am Fifield Church
All Souls Service of Remembering Sunday 1 November
On Sunday 1st November at 9.30am we will be holding a United Benefice Service at St. Simon and St. Jude, Milton-under-Wychwood to commemorate All Souls.
Anyone who has lost someone close is warmly invited to our service where we will be reading out the names of those who have died recently and remembering other departed loved ones we hold dear.
During the service, there will also be an opportunity to light a candle in memory of your own loved ones.
If you would like any loved ones remembered at our All Souls Service please give their names to Clare Harper, Benefice Administrator [email protected] or 01993 832 467
We do hope you will be able to join us for this very special service.