Author: Judy French

On Sunday 7th April, St Mary’s was the scene of a wonderful piano recital by Jill Crossland. Jill played pieces by Handel, Bach, Beethoven and Chopin, using the church’s own grand piano. Our thanks to Jill for an entertaining afternoon of music, to those who organised it, and all who provided refreshments.

Christians from the churches in Charlbury gathered on Good Friday morning for the Walk of Witness. The story of Jesus’s Trial and Crucifixion was shared at each church, with songs and prayers.

A very happy Easter to everyone!

Christ is Risen, Alleluia!

All are welcome to any of our regular services during Eastertide at St Mary’s Church or All Saints Shorthampton.

• Sunday 8am Holy Communion in St Marys
• Sunday 9.45am Parish Communion in St Marys
• Second Sunday at Shorthampton – 6pm Evening Prayer from the Book of Common Prayer

Photo by Pisit Heng on Unsplash

All are welcome to any of our services through Holy Week and Easter.

Some of our flower arrangers prepared the posies which were given out to Mums (and others!) on Sunday as part of the Mothering Sunday service. Our thanks to Hilli, Ann, Sarah, Mary and Maddy, and to our Vicar Fergus. You can listen to the service here.

Seven Prayer Stations have been set up in St Mary’s Church Charlbury to aid prayer and reflection during this season of Lent. They are set around the last words of Jesus from the Cross, each with something to think about, a prayer to say, and an action to take in response.

The church is open every day during daylight hours and all are welcome to come and use the prayer stations, take part in services or simply sit quietly for a while.

32 boxes and bags containing reverse advent calendarswere taken to the Porch in Oxford this week – they were very pleased with everything, especially with the two packets of washing powder which were used immediately. Many thanks to all who donated.

Jan led her last service as our Associate priest on Sunday 28th January 2024. Family and friends came from our congregations, other local churches, and the town to worship together and thank Jan for her ministry among us. Church wardens Dine and Paddy spoke about the huge contribution Jan has made to the life of the church and folk in the town, including her pastoral work, links with Charlbury School and instigating new initiatives (eg Font Cafe, Memory Cafe, Stay and Play). Jan was presented with gifts, flowers, cards and a cake complete with a model of Jan (and her dog Buttons) with her feet up! Our vicar Fergus preached, and the celebration continued into a wonderful lunch. The service ended with a piece specially composed for Jan’s retirement by our organist Richard Fairhurst and sung by the choir.

You can listen to the presentations by Dine and Paddy here:

Fergus Butler-Gallie was installed as the new Vicar of Charlbury with Shorthampton on Wednesday, 17 January, in a joyful service attended by his family, friends, former parishioners and the people of this parish. The Bishop thanked the church wardens and the ministry team for covering ministry and services for the last 18 months of the vacancy. He offered special thanks to the Revd Jan Fielden who has carried much of the responsibility for ministry during this time and is due to retire at the end of this month. We continue to pray for Fergus as he begins his ministry among us, and for our church wardens and PCC as we go forward together.

Fergus is thirty-one and grew up all over the country but with a family home by the Romney Marsh in Kent. His interests include writing (he has authored three books and numerous pieces for national newspapers), humour, eating, drinking, socialising, sport (he has coached cricket and rugby), and above all else, people.  He has served in churches in Liverpool and Central London as well as in chaplaincy at a school in Kent.