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There will be a service of Choral Evensong on Palm Sunday 29th March at 6pm in St Mary’s Church. All are very welcome.

[Front page Post Image by Prawny from Pixabay]

March 2026

1 Corinthians 13:4-5

⁴ Love is patient; love is kind; love is not envious or boastful or arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable; it keeps no record of wrongs; 

In the light of Jesus’s 40 days of fasting, praying and resisting the temptations by Satan, we examine the place of penance, self-discipline and prayer in our own faith journeys.   For many, it can be a challenging time of self-examination, reflection and action, made far more challenging this year with the happenings in the Middle East and ongoing invasion of Ukraine.   

In the midst of immense destruction, pain, anguish, displacement, anger and fear in the areas, across the world many of us ask in shock,  How can this have been allowed to happen.  And what can we do in the face of such action?  

Whatever our political leanings or understandings, as Christians, human not divine, we are called to turn to our Loving God in prayer.  The Bible instructs us to pray unceasingly, in times of pain and suffering; to love others including those who are extremely hard to love; to love with patience and kindness, in faith and trusting God Omnipotent. 

When Paul wrote to the dysfunctional church in Corinth, the church was facing many troubles with small clique’ish groups forming according to their loyalty to human leaders –  Paul, Apollos (teacher), Cephas (Peter), or to Christ.  Competitiveness, various behaviours and elitism ensued.  Although written and read in context, today one might ask, ‘does any of that sound familiar behaviour, given what we are witnessing with ‘global domination’ posturing and warring?’

This is an emotional and challenging time for us all, yet we are called by God to focus on Him, who is Good, Gracious and Loving.  Let us unwaveringly pray for our neighbours everywhere, next door and across the world, that Love and Peace will reign in His time. 

Loving and Gracious God, we thank you for your steadfast love.  At this time, we pray especially for all who are suffering in these wars, innocent victims, their families and loved ones.  We pray too for those choosing war over negotiation and a level of compromise, that they may come to see your light and know your love.   

During this Lenten season and always, may our primary focus be on You, the One who sacrificed himself for us sinners.   In Jesus name, we pray.  Amen

Revd Tish Bird

See previous Reflections here

In addition to the services for Holy Week advertised below, there will be a service of Holy Communion at St Mary’s on Good Friday at 8am. An opportunity to hear the story of the Passion of Christ, respond in silence and prayer, and receive Holy Communion from the Sacrament reserved from the Eucharist on Maundy Thursday.

In addition to the services for Holy Week advertised below, there will be a Vigil on Maundy Thursday after the 7pm Eucharist. We watch and pray with Christ in Gethsemane. All welcome.

‘New Light on the History of Charlbury Parish’

Thursday 19th March in St Mary’s Church. 6pm Drinks reception followed by the talk at 6.30pm.

Based on his recent research in the Evenlode Valley, Dr Simon Draper will enlighten us on his findings. This promises to be an insightful and captivating talk by a renowned historian. Simon is a professional local historian working for the long-running Victoria County History (VCH) research project in Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire, where he lives. An archaeologist by training, he has special interests in Anglo-Saxon and medieval landscapes as well as place-names.’

Tickets £18 from art@amandacooper.co.uk. Please email Amanda to book your place and she will send you the bank details. If you cannot attend a donation is always welcome.

Proceeds to both St Mary’s Charlbury and All Saints, Shorthampton.

All heads down as Patrick Derham, Quizmaster Extraordinaire, exercises our brains. A wonderful evening last night as over a hundred people tried to force their grey matter into action in order to answer fiendishly difficult questions (or so they seemed to us) whilst being well fed and watered.

Wonderfully organised by Dine and his merry team of helpers.

An amazing £3,000 raised for the church.

When do we do it again?

Paddy.