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.
It was wonderful to see so many people enjoying the Christmas Tree Festival, and coming along to our 2 successful events in December. Thank you again for all your support, and generosity.
Thank you also to those who wrote a few words on the tags on our prayer tree inside the church. The church is always a quiet welcoming place for reflection and prayer and all are welcome.
There were lots of tags on the tree, and these will be prayed through at church on the next few Wednesday at Morning Prayer.
Hilli Waller
Fun was had at a tidy up of St Mary’s Church and churchyard on Saturday 13th January in preparation for the installation of our new Vicar Fergus on Wednesday 17th January. Thanks to everyone for hard work and a gleaming church!
Here are a few photos of All Saints Church during the Christmas season.
Mums Choir is a supportive space to sing beautiful harmonies, learn new songs and meet other people whilst still being able to care for your baby. Cost is £6 Termly or £8 on the door. Information here.
Contact to join: jennymahlermusic@gmail.com
Hello! My name is the Reverend Fergus Butler Gallie and I’m the new vicar of Charlbury with Shorthampton. I’m delighted to be joining such a wonderful community of faithful people seeking to do good in their community. If you’re not a church goer please don’t stop reading there! My role is to speak of the good news of Christ with all but whether you come to church regularly or not, the vicar, and the church are for everyone.
A little about me: I’m thirty-one years old and grew up all over the country but with a family home by the Romney Marsh in Kent.
After university education at Oxford and Cambridge, I’ve served in churches in Liverpool and Central London as well as in chaplaincy at a school in Kent. My interests include writing- I am the author of three books- humour, eating, drinking, socialising, sport- I’ve spent the last term coaching cricket- and, above all else, people. Madeline and I are looking forward to building a life together in such a special part of the world. Most importantly though, the thing I’m most looking forward to in coming to Charlbury is meeting you, the people.
With that in mind, I’ll be arriving in the new year and I’m looking forward to meeting you in person. You’ll see me before, as I’ll be taking some services over Christmas- to which all of you are most welcome. I hope to see you in the shops, in the pubs, at the sports clubs and, above all, in church. Please do say hello when you do see me out and about and please remember that St Mary’s and All Saints are churches for everybody in Charlbury. In the meantime you will be in my prayers: please do pray for me and Madeline as I prepare to take up the job.
Reverend Fergus Butler Gallie
[First published in The Leaflet earlier this year.]
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