Roast lamb, roast potatoes FOUR glasses of wine – a Passover feast indeed !  It seems strange to celebrate with such a feast in the middle of Lent:  traditionally a season of giving up and going without; but in actual fact all the themes  of the Easter  Season, its sorrows and its joys, are at Passover. Indeed the very cup of wine and bread which Jesus held as he proclaimed his famous words about his body being broken and his blood poured out were the Matzos bread and wine at the heart of the Passover feast .  From the times of the ancient Egyptians to the time of Jesus to the present day, Passover is an opportunity to come together to celebrate and be thankful . There is eating and singing and dancing –  and more eating –  who would want to pass over Passover?

Children and families this Easter
We are planning activities and opportunities for children and families to engage with the Easter story this year.

Palm Sunday Service Sunday 9 April 10am Milton Chuch
After our Palm Sunday service, we will be gathering at Milton Village Hall for our Lent Lunch and children’s activities. There will be stories, making and sticking, as well as food, friends and fun.

Passover Supper: Wednesday 12 April 7pm
On the Wednesday of Holy Week, we will be back in Milton Village Hall for our Passover Supper.  This event is great for families, very interactive, and there are Easter Eggs to find and readings to be read by children and young people.

Good Friday: 14 April
On Good Friday we will have our family service in Milton church at 9.30, followed by hot cross buns.  After the service there is the opportunity to join in a leisurely walk across the countryside to Fifield for a picnic at 12noon.  Of course, you could just drive up and bring your picnic!

On the 26^th March, Mothering Sunday, we will be holding a special service where we will all take the opportunity to remember our own baptism, to give thanks for our godchildren and godparents and celebrate the blessings we have received from our Mothers and as Mothers.  There is much to celebrate.  Please join us and think about who you could invite along to this lovely service.

Services take place as follows:

9.30am Milton Church
11am Fifield Church
11am Shipton Church

Don’t forget the clocks go forwards on Mothering Sunday!

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.

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.

Here is an overview of the services in the Wychwood Benefice this Christmas time.

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.

WB Christmas Card 2015 (1)

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!

Give thanks for God’s provision, for the hard work of the farmers and for the wonderful produce we enjoy!

This year’s Harvest Festivals are as follows:

Milton: Sunday 27 September, 5pm followed by Harvest Supper

Shipton: Sunday 4 October, 11am followed by bring-and-share Harvest Lunch

Idbury: Sunday 4 October, 11am followed by Harvest Lunch

Fifield: Sunday 11 October, 11am with Harvest Supper Friday 9 October 7/7.30pm Fifield Parish Hall (tickets from Catherine Hitchens 01993 831 881).