Outlook Issue 2

Outlook
Christenings, Marriages & Funerals News from St. Mary’s Church 2 – Oct/Nov 2017

Congratulations to all the couples who were married at St. Mary’s Birthday Celebrations
during August and September:
Alastair Cupper and Charlotte Hartley A church’s Dedication Festival
Carl Woodland and Hayley Pargeter
Andrew McCoy and Michelle Galloway celebrates the birthday of the
Joseph AlMalah and Helen Mourton
Michael Hiscock and Marlene Phillips church building. We know that
Thomas Wright and Sarah de Courcy
St Mary’s was first dedicated as a
Our thoughts and prayers are with the families of Hazel Morgan,
Maurice Havard, Josephine Woods, Elizabeth Wadsworth, Mary Chapel of Ease in 1190, however,
Orchard, Patricia Staite and Margaret Smith whose funeral services
were conducted recently. we do not know the exact date and

so we mark the occasion on the Image:Daniel Simpson

first Sunday in October. church and people in this parish.
We take the opportunity to
The Festival is an remember that a parish church is
“a parish church is opportunity to give there for everyone living in the
parish, regardless of their faith, and
there for everyone thanks for our we re-dedicate ourselves to serving
them and the Gospel.
living in the parish, church building
regardless of their which has been at Everyone is welcome to join us in
the heart of St. Mary’s Church at 10:00am on
Did you know that the church St. Mary’s Church is located in faith” Charlton Kings Sunday 1st October when, in the
doors are open from 9am until the centre of Charlton Kings tradition of all birthday parties,
village for 827 years. It’s also a there will be cake!
6pm every day? within the triangle formed by
Horsefair Street, Church Street chance to remember all those
You are welcome to pop in to
have a look around, to pray or to and New Street. generations who have gone before

spend a quiet moment. The parish office is located us and who have known, loved and
within the Parish Centre on
New Street and is usually open cared for St. Mary’s Church and

to visitors on Tuesdays to from whom we have inherited the
Fridays from 8.30-11.30am.
responsibility for caring for the
Contacting St. Mary’s Church
Parish Office Remembrance Sunday

01242 224883 Sunday 12th November, 9.50am, Charlton Kings War Memorial, Horsefair St
[email protected] The people of Charlton Kings will join together in an act of remembrance for all
those who have lost their lives fighting for our country. Please join us.
stmarysck.org.uk Afterwards there will be church services in all three Charlton Kings’ churches.

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The story of the poppy Improvements to the church

During the First World War the countryside of Western Europe was Those of you who have assisted radiators and
devastated by the fighting. Despite the destruction, Flanders poppies attended services at the church
flourished amidst the carnage, turning the mud of no-man’s land a on very cold days will have conventional radiators. The
poignant red. realised that the current
heating system has reached the church will be divided into three
end of its useful life. The boiler
is 30+ years old, has to be individually controlled heating
repaired regularly, and is not as
The startling sight of fields of bright red flowers inspired Lieutenant Colonel efficient as modern boilers. You zones which are fully “a warmer,
will be glad to hear that plans programmable. The aim will more
John McCrae (a Canadian) to write a poem called In Flanders Fields. This in are afoot to replace the system. be to keep a steady base
The Estates Committee has temperature which can be comfortable
turn led an American lady called Moina Michael to make red silk poppies. been looking at different boosted when different church”
options for a new central
These were then brought to England by a French woman, Anna Guérin. heating system and plans are
currently being consulted upon.
Nine million of these poppies were ordered by the newly formed British zones are in use.
It is proposed to move to a
Legion and sold on 11th November 1921. This was, effectively, the first system which will heat the All of this will result in a much
church using a combination of
ever “Poppy Appeal” and the money raised was used to help World War I fan-assisted trench heaters, fan- warmer, more comfortable

veterans with employment and environment for us all to enjoy

In Flanders Fields housing. worshipping in. Information will
In Flanders’ fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row, A Poppy Factory was set up the be on display in the church on
That mark our place: and in the sky next year and employed disabled
The larks, still bravely singing, fly ex-Servicemen. Today, the Sundays 1st and 8th October,
Scarce heard amid the guns below. factory and the Legion’s
warehouse in Aylesford produces and people will be on-hand to
We are the dead. Short days ago millions of poppies each year.
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, answer questions. If you have
Loved and were loved, and now we lie More information about the
Poppy Appeal and Remembrance any queries please contact
In Flanders’ fields.
[email protected].

Take up our quarrel with the foe; Sunday can be found at Prepare for Christmas
To you from failing hands we throw www.britishlegion.org.uk.
The torch; be yours to hold it high, Advent (the 4 week period directly before Christmas) is a
time to prepare our hearts and minds for the upcoming
If ye break faith with us who die celebration of Jesus’ birth. Please join us for:
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
Advent Carols: 3rd December, 6.30pm
In Flanders’ fields. A traditional and dramatic service with specially composed
advent music.

Christingle: 10th December, 4pm
A fun service for the whole family where we light the
Christingle oranges.

Image: Dan at freedigitalphotos.com

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Stories in Glass Can you plan ahead for a funeral?

Visitors and regular worshippers at St Mary’s will often comment on Yes you can! Of course, this isn’t something that everyone wants to think
the beauty of the Stained-glass windows which fill almost every about every day, but a funeral is about a special person, and the family
and friends of that special person want a special ceremony which is
available window space. It is worth spending a little meaningful to them. St Mary’s Church is a beautiful and sacred building,
time taking in the details of these windows which
often yield interesting features and facts. I happened full of centuries of prayer, in which we are honoured to
to be admiring the window in St David’s chapel hold funeral services for any and all who wish it -
recently which depicts the visit of the Wise Men to whether or not they attended church.
the infant Jesus. According to the Gloucestershire
guide in ‘The Buildings of England’ series, the A Christian service provides a structure in which we can
window is believed to be the work of James Eadie move through our emotions, interwoven with the story
Reid who was an Art Teacher at Cheltenham Ladies’ of a person’s life and achievements. It allows us to
College. The window is in memory of Lt General Sir Henry Radford acknowledge we are in the presence of God, held in his
Norman KGB who died in 1899. The brightly coloured window is eye- love and supported by prayer. It provides a strong
catching but my attention was drawn to the biblical text from message of hope as God promises that when we die we
Matthew ‘And when they were come into the house, they saw the will be with him in a wonderful place where death and
young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped pain are gone forever.
him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented
unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.’ After reading this Sometimes a funeral is planned when someone has already died, but it
well-known verse I spotted a mistake in the reference - St Matthew may be done at any time. You can make suggestions for your own funeral,
3rd verse 11. In fact it should read St Matthew 2nd verse 11. A and then if you wish you can leave your suggestions with us, as well as tell
minor error which of course does nothing to detract from a fine and your closest family your thoughts. A priest will always be willing to lead
impressive window! the service and he or she will be happy to explain the format of ceremony,
music and prayer. If you would like to know more about holding a funeral
from The Revd Canon Michael Garland, recently retired vicar of at St Mary’s, do ask us; it is our privilege to help.
St. Mary’s Charlton Kings Contact the Parish Office on T: 224883.

From the Bible A time to remember a loved one

"I have come that they may have LIFE, If you’ve recently lost someone close to you, you may want to
and have it to the full." come along to our Journey On service. It’s a special time to
formally remember our loved ones who have died, to offer
The words of Jesus in John 10: 10 thanksgiving for their lives, and to light candles in their
memory. You don’t need to be a regular church-goer and you
can come to remember someone however long ago they died.
Sunday 12th November, 6.30pm, St. Mary’s Church

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Events in October Grand Autumn Event

Life’s Four Great Questions Saturday 14th October, 2.30pm, St. Mary’s Church, Free entry
Join the fun and support Church Urban Fund at the same time:
George Harrison of the Dr Nigel Scotland.  Save old £1 coins (and others) & add them to our giant coin trail
Beatles once said there are  Adopt a fish on behalf of our Little Fishes toddler group
three great questions we all If you’d like to find out  Enjoy tea and cakes
have to face, Who am I?, more, come along to  Buy crafts and jams/preserves
Why am I here? And Where St. Mary’s Church at 7pm
am I going? This October on Sundays 8th, 15th, Crafting for Christmas
we’ll be exploring life’s 22nd and 29th October.
major issues and the Saturday 4th November, 2.00pm, St. Mary’s Parish Centre
answers Jesus sought to give Before-hand, there will Have fun creating beautiful boxes to fill with chocolates or gifts.
to them through a 4-week be a short Evensong service, starting at Make cards and gifts using a variety of craft techniques including
series of talks given by Revd 6.30pm - you are welcome to come to both
or just the talk. stamping, embossing, decoupage and more.
Suggested donation £8, to include tea and cake.
Walking Together Sign up at the back of the church or contact the Parish Office
on 01242 224883.
Did you know that St. Mary’s has a walking group which
usually meets on the 1st day of each month? It’s a Advent Sleepout Challenge 2017
lovely way to enjoy the local countryside, get some
fresh air and make new friends. New faces are always 1st to 2nd December, Kings’ Hall, Church Piece, Charlton Kings
welcome.
In October, the group will be undertaking a 2 hour flat walk around The Advent Sleepout Challenge is a national, DID YOU KNOW?
Sherborne Estate. Meet on Sunday 1st October at 1.45pm at the War sponsored event to help marginalised people in
memorial in Sherborne village. Contact the Parish Office on 01242 224883.

Games Afternoon England transform their lives and communities In 2016 there were
through the work of Church Urban Fund. During 4,134 people
Saturday 21st October, 2.30pm Advent, people all over England will take the
St. Mary’s Parish Centre, New Street Christmas story as inspiration to create their own sleeping rough in
Come along and enjoy an afternoon of good old- Advent ‘stable’ and give up a night of comfort; England
fashioned games! There’ll be board games, beetle
drives, cards and games for children. Organised by sleeping out with friends, families, church groups,
the Friends of St. Mary’s Church. Tickets £3 incl. tea
& cake (12yrs & under, £1), available from the clubs and community groups. If your community group is interested
Parish Office.
in joining the Charlton Kings event, email [email protected].

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Changing lives in Gloucestershire Business as usual at St. Mary’s

For the rest of this year, St. Mary’s are raising money to support the work Since the retirement of Revd Canon Michael Garland in September,
of Church Urban Fund (CUF). Over the past 30 years, CUF has we are now what is officially called a church “in vacancy”. During
been working with local parishes to bring positive change in this period, though, life at St Mary’s is continuing as usual. The
communities. Recently, and with backing from Archbishop Churchwardens, together with Beth in the Parish Office, are working
Justin Welby, it has launched a scheme called to ensure that our regular pattern of services, apart from the
LifeSavers. Mounting debt and a lack of financial awareness 7:30am Holy Communion on Friday mornings, are covered. We are
is a source of great unhappiness and often leads to family especially grateful to all our retired clergy who have very generously
breakdown. LifeSavers is a financial education programme agreed to provide much of the help we need. The Parish Office is
for primary schools, helping children and their families to now the first point of contact for anyone wishing to arrange a
manage money wisely. It provides training and resources for teachers, baptism, wedding or funeral or for more information on services.
offers support for school savings clubs and encourages parents and the
wider community to get involved, helping to break the cycle of debt. This So, what’s happened so far in the search for a new vicar?
autumn it comes to five schools in Gloucestershire, including one in  In August, the Churchwardens met with the Archdeacon of
Cheltenham.
Cheltenham, the Venerable Philip Andrew to discuss the vacancy
CUF also provides funds for afterschool and lunch clubs, initiatives that and to underline the responsibilities which fall to Churchwardens
encourage people of different races and religions to come together as at this time.
well as schemes that provide shelter and employment training for the  In October, the Archdeacon, together with the Area Dean, the
homeless. All are run by local churches so that they are geared towards Revd Nick Davies, will meet the Parochial Church Council (PCC) to
meeting the needs of the community. brief them about their role during the vacancy and to answer any
questions.
Give our fish eyes to see!  The diocese has confirmed that is has no plans to change the
status of St Mary’s as a single church benefice and that the
A team of knitters has been busy making fish to decorate the chapel vacancy will be advertised early in the new year.
when our Little Fishes toddler group meets every Thursday. However,
they have forgotten just one thing - they haven’t given the fish any eyes … and our Grand Autumn Event Image: heavypong at freedigitalphotos.com
to see with! Could you help our fish to see? Come along to the Grand
Autumn Event (see opposite), choose your favourite Saturday 14th October, 2.30pm, St. Mary’s Church
See page 9 for more information.
little fish, sponsor it (all donations are for
the Church Urban Fund), and we’ll give
your fish eyes to see!

6 7

Church Calendar 29 October 8am Holy Communion St Mary’s
Revd Joanne Wetherall Church
New faces are always welcome at any of our services and events - we
would be delighted to see you. Updates at stmarysck.org.uk/calendar 10am Parish Communion (no Junior Church)
Revd Rosanne Roberts
1 October 8am Holy Communion St. Mary’s 6.30pm Shortened Evensong
Revd Felicity Bayne Church 7.00pm Jesus & Life’s Four Great Questions
8 October 10am Dedication Festival (& Junior Church) Revd Dr Nigel Scotland - see page 4
Revd Pauline Smith - see front page Sherborne
14 October 1.45pm Walking Together Estate 4 November 2.30pm Christmas Crafting Parish Centre
15 October see page 4 St. Mary’s see page 9
6.30pm Full Choral Evensong Church
21 October with Revd Canon David Nye 5 November 8am Holy Communion St Mary’s
22 October
8am Holy Communion St. Mary’s The Venerable Phil Andrew, Archdeacon of Church

Revd Canon David Nye (preacher: Revd Church Cheltenham

Jackie Gardner) 10am All Saints Parish Communion (& Junior

10am Parish Communion (& Junior Church) Church) Revd Pauline Smith (preacher: Revd

Revd Jackie Gardner Ashley Collishaw)

6.30pm Shortened Evensong 6.30pm Full Choral Evensong

7.00pm Jesus & Life’s Four Great Questions Revd Canon David Nye

Revd Dr Nigel Scotland - see page4 12 November 8am Holy Communion St Mary’s
Revd Jackie Gardner Church
2.30pm Grand Autumn Event St. Mary’s 9.50am Act of Remembrance War Memorial
see page 9 Church see front page
10am Remembrance Sunday Service (& St. Mary’s
8am Holy Communion St Mary’s Junior Church) Revd Rosanne Roberts Church
6.30pm Journey On
Revd Canon David Nye Church see page 3

10am Parish Communion (& Junior Church)

Bishop Bob Evens

6.30pm Shortened Evensong 19 November 8am Holy Communion St Mary’s

7.00pm Jesus & Life’s Four Great Questions Revd Felicity Bayne Church

Revd Dr Nigel Scotland - see page 4 10am Parish Communion (& Junior Church)

2.30pm Games Afternoon Parish Centre Revd Pauline Smith (preacher: Jean Huckett)
see page 4
6.30pm Choral Evensong

8am Holy Communion St Mary’s Revd Canon David Nye

Revd Jackie Gardner Church 26 November 8am Holy Communion St. Mary’s
Revd Jackie Gardner Church
10am Parish Communion (no Junior Church) 10am Parish Communion (& Junior Church)
Revd Canon David Nye (preacher: Revd
Revd Pauline Smith (preacher: Revd Jackie Jackie Gardner)
6.30pm Choral Evensong
Gardner) Jean Huckett

6.30pm Shortened Evensong

7.00pm Jesus & Life’s Four Great Questions

Revd Dr Nigel Scotland - see page 4