There had been a lot of interest in restarting the scout group in the Wychwoods and last Saturday we put it to the test. We opened the doors at the school to any family that wanted to come along and experience what happens at a scout meeting.

All morning we had a good flow of interested families, many entering with dubious looks on their faces but leaving full of enthusiasm. By the end of the morning we had signed up around forty youngsters between the ages of 6 and 10 enough to potentially start a Beaver Colony and a Cub Pack.

My concern was always that we would get the youngsters but not the parents to support us. Well the parents that came along didn’t disappoint and we have hopefully signed up enough to get things going. It was our intention to start the group off with experienced leaders  from within the District with local helpers assisting them; then to train our local team up to eventually take over. It looks like we have that core we were looking for.

Now the fun begins, we have to reinstate the group, it will again be the 1^st Wychwoods Scout Group; sort out the evenings and times for the sessions; confirm venues; check clearances of new helpers and potential leaders; sort out subs; uniforms; colours of necker……………

All in all it was a great day and I for one was very pleased with the response from the villages. Our target now is to start the sessions after Easter so no pressure! I would like to thank those families who came along and showed interest. It has been 21 years since the original group closed, a lot has changed in the meantime, but the future looks bright.

For more information the contact is [email protected]

Chris Trotman – Group Chairman

On 18th November, we were pleased to welcome Bishop Colin to lead a confirmation service at Shipton church.  As part of their preparation, the two groups of confirmation candidates wrote some notes about what their faith means to them, and these were used as part of the service.

The difference my Christian faith makes: Young Persons’ Confirmation Group

Our Christian faith helps us to be caring people, recognising other people as your brother and sister, and so feel more protective of them.

Our Christian faith helps us to be helpful and more giving.  It encourages us to help everyone we know.

We are not alone, we have someone to talk to always.

Our Christian faith helps us to be more hospitable; I don’t like being left out, so I don’t leave others out.

We can see some of the gifts we have been given by the Spirit, of creativity, faith, hospitality, giving and caring.

Our Christian faith makes us feel special, different and safer.

However, our Christian faith can feel hard, because we want to fit in.

The difference my Christian faith means to me: Adult Confirmation Group

Our Christian faith helps us to reflect on life and the group has given us room for our spiritual well being.  It helps us to think about a wide range of issues in the world and gives a framework to ponder things, discerning what would be the Christian way and making good choices.

Our Christian faith gives us courage.

We know there is someone, there is God, we can turn to at difficult times.

Our Christian faith encourages us to be less selfish and more giving.

We want to live lives that can model a life of faith to others.

It gives us hope.  We can trust God and believe God will help.

The group has given us the chance to grow and reminded us about the Christian faith.

We have found strength in belonging and being part of a community, and touched that desire to belong.

It has been refreshing to be part of a group offering friendship, openness and honesty.

It has helped me recognise our gifts; for instance, a patient, caring person with a lot to give.

We have learned from the bible and how it relates to our lives.

Our Christian faith inspires us to be better people and gives our lives purpose.

And finally… food is a really important part of our group and our faith!

This morning, I woke to torrential rain and a terrible sinking feeling that the nightmare of the night before was actually reality.

Yesterday, 20 November 2012, General Synod said ‘no’ to the legislation that would allow women to be bishops.  Or at least that is what the headlines say.  In reality, an overwhelming majority of General synod said ‘yes’ to the legislation – 73%, reflecting the vote of the diocese, where 42 of the 44 said yes. The vote was carried in the house of bishops and the house of laity, and was only lost by 6 votes in the house of laity.  Such are the workings of the government of the Church of England that ends the hopes that we could move on from this argument now.

Some lay members of our churches have asked me, ‘who are these laity who are supposed to be representing me!’  It is a good question. The reality is, somewhere along the way General Synod seems to have lost the idea that each elected person is there to express the views of their diocese, and over recent times there has been a significant move towards a place where people are there to represent their ‘tribe’.  Those who enter into synod in this way are dishonouring the people they should be representing, dishonouring the church and dishonouring God.  When election of a new General Synod comes around, I hope that we as churches in this benefice will have some healthy debate and be inspired to get involved in the process.

I heard some of the 100+ speeches made, and those opposed to women’s ministry spoke of both tradition and scripture. This is difficult ground to inhabit. Of course, slavery, stoning people to death, and child abuse, along with subordination of women, can all be argued from our scripture and tradition. And they are all abhorrent and wrong. What is more, none of these things can be sustained when we look to Jesus.  He welcomed children, challenged stoning, preached that all are free and was radical in his treatment of women.  We serve a living God, and we continually discover more about our God – to say otherwise is to diminish who God is.

Personally, the vote yesterday is a devastating blow. It undermines my ministry and says to me that I am second-class. But more than that, it breaks my heart for the message it sends out and the brilliant leaders it means we miss out on as a church.

Please do pray, for softer hearts, for an openness to what our God is doing in our time, and for great wisdom for ++Rowan and +Justin, and for all of us, as we seek to move on.

With love, Kate

On Saturday 2nd June, over 100 singers came together in Shipton church for a day’s singing led by the famous composer and conductor Bob Chilcott.  As it was the beginning of the Jubilee weekend, the music chosen had a Jubilee theme, including Parry’s I was glad and Handel’s Zadok the Priest, plus music by John Rutter and Bob Chilcott.

The event was in aid of Ascott-under-Wychwood Pre-school, and raised nearly £2000.  A wonderful time was had by all, aided no end by the wonderful refreshments, and our thanks go to all those who supported the event, not least the singers, some of whom travelled considerable distances for a chance to sing under Bob’s able direction.  We’re also grateful to Oxford University Press for supplying the music used, and to Bernard West, Shipton church’s Director of Music, who acted as accompanist for the day.

The day ended with a sing-through of the music covered during the day, giving a chance for family and friends of the participants, plus members of the church’s congregation, a chance to hear what had been achieved during the day.

Over 50 emails were received after the event from participants and audience saying what a great experience the day had been: “I haven’t been in a church choir for 25 years but, singing with a large chorus where a few breathless pauses wouldn’t be noticed, gave me the incentive.  Then, of course, it was the opportunity to sing with Bob’s direction that was the main attraction.  It was a wonderful day.”

The next major musical event in the Benefice will be a concert by the Oxford Welsh Male Voice Choir in Shipton church on Saturday 8th September at 7:30pm.  For ticket information, contact us.  It’s also hoped that we’ll have another ‘Come-and-Sing’ event in the near future.