St Mary's Eaton Bray

The Travelling Crib 2009

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

St Mary's sent out its first Travelling Crib during Advent 2004. Now the Travelling Crib is an established feature of December in the villages with our Mary and Joseph crib figures travelling from one house to another until they arrive back in church for our popular Candle Services on Christmas Eve.

Each day the family with whom the figures spent the previous night deliver them to the next recipients. It is an opportunity for two families to conduct a brief act of worship together and, in many cases, share some simple seasonal refreshments. As such it is a way of bringing a little religious focus to the run up to Christmas and an opportunity to get to know some other people in the villages a little better.

If you would like to take part in this delightful custom please sign up on the notice board in church - the church is open every day so you can call in any time. For more information please contact Gordon Gray.

A Vote of Thanks

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The PCC and everyone involved with St Mary's Church Eaton Bray would like to thank Angela Giakovnis and her team of decorators from the South & West Herts. Probation Centre at Watford for their help in redecorating the Vicarage in advance of the arrival of Roger & Gill Chapman. Without them the task would have been a major headache, with them we were able to deliver a really good looking job in record time.

Chris Banks & Peter Bennett
Churchwardens

The Church Mouse

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The October meeting of the P.C.C. was chaired by one of the churchwardens.

A new volunteer has been found to wash the church linen and the small change collection will be used to replace any linen that is no longer usable.

Sick visiting is now well established and those who put names on the prayer board will be asked to find out if these people would like a visit or a phone call.

Roger Chapman and his family have moved into the vicarage prior to the licensing on November 2nd for which volunteers will be needed to clean and tidy the church and move chairs on the day.

From January 2010 the 22 members of the Mother's Union have decided to become known as the St Mary's Ladies Guild. The Mother's Union will be disbanded at a service in December.

The Harvest auction raised £326 for the Bishop's Appeal for the Harvest.

There will be a Christmas Fayre on November 14th in Eaton Bray Village Hall from 12noon to 3pm. An appeal is being made for cakes, craft items, raffle prizes etc.

The All Souls service will be rescheduled after consultation with Roger Chapman.

The Swine Flu precautions at present in place during church services will be reviewed after the licensing.

The refurbishment of the vestry is almost complete and the electrics, sound system and new boiler will shortly be finished.

Church income is seriously down and the congregation will be asked to help with the shortfall and a stewardship presentation will be made in the New Year.

The new House-Group at Dagnall is going well and a new edition of Mission Praise is being purchased to enable the congregation to have a wider choice of music for their services.

In order to raise funds a 'St Mary's Got Talent' show for adults and children is being arranged for 2010.

Hymns on the Green at Edlesborough was well attended this year.

The meeting closed with the Grace.

Thank You

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The World's Biggest Coffee Morning held in St Mary's Church on Friday September 25th was a huge success and we would like to thank everyone who contributed in any way, by baking, helping on the day or turning out to support. The total raised is £520 and still rising, a great result and this will be put to very good use supporting anyone affected by cancer and their families.

St Marys Christmas Fayre 2009

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

This year's Christmas Fayre will be held on Saturday 14th November in Eaton Bray Village Hall between 12.00 and 3.00pm.

Come & see Santa. Gifts, crafts, cakes, toys, tombola & raffle plus a great light Lunch Menu. Admission 50p. In aid of St Mary's Church Funds.

The Church Mouse

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 00:00:00 GMT

The September meeting of St Mary's PCC was held in the Church and we were able to admire the new pulpit and the work being carried out to refurbish and decorate the vestry, to make better use of the limited space. A new sound system has been installed in the Church and, thanks to new technology, will be a great improvement on the old system.

The induction of Roger Chapman as our new Priest-in-Charge will take place in the Church on Monday, November 2nd. The Bishop of Bedford will conduct the service which will be followed by refreshments in the Village Hall. The PCC are grateful to Eaton Bray WI and the Pantomime producers for changing their bookings with the Hall for the evening.

Roger has agreed to open St. Mary's Christmas Fair, in aid of Church funds, on Saturday, November 14th. This event promises to be bigger and better than previous years so make a date in your diary now!

Dates were agreed for Christmas Services:

Saturday, December 19th - Carols at Edlesborough Church
Sunday, December 20th - Carol Service at St. Mary's, Eaton Bray
Thurs, Dec 24th - candle Services at St Mary's, Eaton Bray, 11.30pm Midnight Mass.
Friday, Dec 25th: 8am Eucharist, 10am Sung Eucharist with Sunday School Play.

The members of St Mary's Mothers' Union have agreed to disband and instead meet as St Mary's Ladies Guild, with the approval of the PCC.

Harvest Auction

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Tue, 29 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Children bring up the items which are then auctioned in aid of the Bishop's Harvest Appeal on 27th September 2009.

About the future occupants of Eaton Bray Vicarage

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sat, 19 Sep 2009 08:50:37 GMT

We are currently two 49 year olds with a 5 year old son, (going on 25) living and working in Letchworth Garden City, Roger as curate in the Parish of Norton.

When time permits Gill loves nothing better than a good dig in the flower or vegetable garden, and is now working in a pre-school using her experiences as a one-to-one learning support assistant in a junior school.

John-Daniel (JD to his friends) is currently perfecting a deep knowledge of David Tennant as Dr. Who, and is looking forward avidly to his (Dr. Who's) regeneration, although he doesn't know what this entails.

Roger enjoys cycling (very badly, on his clapped out cycle), painting (when time allows), trash novels, following Spurs, most sports, and real ale.

As a family we love our annual camping trips (invariably in the rain) and are hoping for a few narrow boat holidays again, as we seem to be closer to the Grand Union canal than ever before.

We really look forward to beginning a new chapter of our lives in Eaton Bray in November, and to meeting you all both in Church and on the school-run (or in Tesco).

-- Roger & Gill Chapman

Teddy Bears Picnic

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sun, 13 Sep 2009 00:00:00 GMT

Following the blessing of our new pulpit, we had fun with a Teddy Bears Picnic in the grounds of St Mary's.

Harvest Supper and Barn Dance

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:37:49 GMT

This year's Harvest Supper and Barn Dance will be held on Saturday 19th September at 7pm in Eaton Bray Village Hall.

There will be live music from Buffalo. Bring your own drink and glasses.

Tickets £7.50 adult, £3.50 child, £20 family Tel: 01525 222283

Photo from the 2009 Harvest Barn Dance

Church Fabric - Pulpit Blessing

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 14:27:06 GMT

The new pulpit was dedicated on Sunday 6th September by The Revd. John Heffer following our Patronal Festival.

Our thanks go to all involved in its design and construction. It is a fine addition to the Church's interior.

Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning

news@stmaryseatonbray.org.uk (Theo Gray) — Sun, 06 Sep 2009 11:35:00 GMT

In aid of Macmillan Cancer Support, to be held in St Mary's Church on Friday 25th September from 9.00am until 12noon.

Cakes, books, cards, bring & buy, etc. Everyone welcome.

For more information, contact Sheila Banks.