On 1st December, the Church Commissioners finally completed the formal paperwork for the reorganisation of our benefice, so we are now proud members of The Benefice of Brize Norton with Carterton and Black Bourton. Our vicar is Revd Drew Tweedy who lives at the vicarage in Carterton and he is supported by Revd Stephen Bessent and Revd Katie Welborn as well as a number of lay readers. A full list of team members will be found on the noticeboard in the church porch.
We were pleased to welcome Gary Long, our Youth and Community Worker, to our Christmas grotto and Carol Service on the 16th and delighted to see so many in the church joining in the carols. After the children had seen Santa Claus, Gary helped the children tell the story of Christmas – it was very brave of all those youngsters who stood up to speak in front of a packed church. They were fantastic so a huge thank you to all who participated. The BBVA made sure we were all supplied with mulled wine and mince pies so all in all everyone had a jolly good time.
On Christmas Eve at 2 p.m. Jason and Rachael, who live in Turnpike Cottage were married at St Mary’s with their family and friends around them and a reception in the Vines afterwards. What a joyous Christmas this must have been for them and their loved ones and something to remember for ever. Every Christmas Eve from now on will be special for them so we send them both our congratulations and wish them peace and happiness in their lives together.
Later in the evening we had our Midnight Mass a little bit earlier than usual with Jeremy and our dear Ron Lloyd taking the service. Sadly poor Barbara was stricken with a nasty bug and unable to play the organ for us but Jeremy stepped up to the plate with recorded organ music for us all to sing to. The church was spick and span (thank you to our cleaning team) and looked magical with all the candles lit and beautifully decorated by our flower ladies. Thank you to them and everyone who put so much effort into making this service so rewarding.
Bible study will resume in the middle of January on Wednesdays at 5 p.m. and for now will be held at Church Close. When the weather warms up we will be back in the church so keep an eye on emails for updates as we go along.
And lastly, don’t forget the Burn’s Night Supper at St John’s on Saturday 28 January 7.00 for 7.30pm. This is a fabulous evening, with genuine haggis from Edinburgh! Speak to Drew and sign up if you’d like to go.
From St Mary’s PCC, we wish you all a very Happy New Year.