News relating to St Mary's Church, Eaton Bray.

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St Mary's Eaton Bray: March 2007

St Mary's Parochial Church Council

St Mary's Parochial Church Council met on 8th March 2007. at All Saints' Church Dagnall.

Last year's Financial Statements were signed, in preparation for the Annual Parochial Church Meeting on 17th April, and members were reminded that activity reports for the Meeting would be required by 23rd March. The PCC re-confirmed its 2004 decision that publicity for fund-raising events other than those sponsored by St Mary's Church, would be confined to the Church porch, while publicity inside, and on the pew leaflet, would be limited to events sponsored directly by the Church. The Meeting also decided that money raised by the Open Gardens event, to be held on 10th June 2007, would be split between the Chilterns Multiple Sclerosis Centre (this year's project) and the much-depleted church roof fund, provided there was no objection by the participating garden owners. We were also advised that the Friends of St Mary's would be holding an open evening in the Church on 24th April, with the theme "We need friends!".

The meeting then reviewed progress following the recent Away Day. which had addressed various matters over which members of the congregation had expressed concern. Three groups had been tasked to consider different aspects of the problems identified, although considerable areas of overlap had become evident. Their reports led to wide ranging discussion covering opportunities for following up christenings, confirmations, weddings etc, involvement with village schools and other activity groups, making services more attractive - particularly to children and young parents -- and contacting new arrivals in the villages. The groups were encouraged to continue their activities with the aim of arriving at specific proposals.

Finally, the outgoing PCC agreed to have one further meeting (on 12th April) before the APCM elects its successors.

The Church Mouse

Rebecca Baldock in Eaton Bray

On Monday 5th of March St Mary’s Eaton Bray was blessed by a visit from Rebecca Baldock whose work, at Kagando Hospital in Uganda, we have been supporting throughout 2006. Rebecca has returned to England for her annual holiday and to share in the celebrations, in York, of her sister’s 18th birthday but she took the time out of a busy schedule of talks and appearances to come to Eaton Bray to say 'Thank you' for the support the Hospital has received from this community.

In a fascinating illustrated talk, that included pictures of the beautiful landscape and wildlife, she brought home, with personal stories, the enormous need that the Kagando community addresses. Among heartbreaking stories Rebecca gave us some inspiring examples of the hope that Kagando is bringing to the local people. And she described how Christian community who run the hospital witness to the power of prayer in meeting their needs.

Rebecca described the ways in which money donated from our villages has aided Kagando Hospital. Some of the equipment is literally life saving and as a result of our support the hospital’s two intensive care beds are now equipped with some of the basic equipment, such as a blood pressure monitor and an oximeter, that we take for granted with the NHS. Whist this equipment is vital for the hospital more basic needs have also been met by our donations – a simple path has been built that replaces the steps and rough ground between the main surgical wards and the physiotherapy department. As a result there is no longer a problem getting wheel chairs between the two and patients on crutches or callipers are now able to reach the physiotherapy department.

Gordon presenting Rebecca with a cheque At the end of the evening Rebecca was presented with a cheque for £2,060, bring the total amount donated to Kagando by the congregations of St Mary’s and All Saints Dagnall from their fundraising activities in 2006 to £5,291. She was so very thankful and carried with her the thanks of many of Kagando’s nursing community.

Apart from an occasional letter this will be the last regular entry in from Rebecca, but if you want to follow her story you will be able to read her monthly newsletter on the St Mary's website. If you would like to make a donation to Kagando please get in touch with Gordon Gray or Rev Malcolm Grant.

Saints alive - what a success

Kind-hearted Eaton Bray folk have raised more than £2,000 to help a hospital in Uganda.

Local physiotherapist Rebecca Baldock returned to St Mary's Church as part of her annual holiday to pick up a cheque for the Kagando Hospital.

During 2006 the congregations of St Mary's and All Saints Dagnall collected £5,291 between them.

Rebecca said that because of the support offered by the churches the hospital - close to the border with the Democratic Republic of Congo - has now been equipped with basic equipment, including a blood pressure monitor.

A path has also been built thanks to donations, which means wheelchairs and patients with crutches can now move between surgical wards and the physiotherapy department.

During her talk Rebecca also highlighted the hope that the hospital brought to local people, and stressed how grateful the community was for the churches' fundraising efforts.

Electoral Roll

A new Electoral Roll has to be prepared in readiness for this year's Annual Parochial Church Meeting. No names can be carried forward from the existing Roll - everyone must complete a new application form for enrolment. If you have not received an invitation to renew your enrolment, please take one of the forms from the table in front of the notice board and return it by next Sunday 18th March to ensure that your name is on the new Roll.

After that date, no further names can be added until after the Annual Parochial Church Meeting (which will take place in Eaton Bray Village Hall on the evening or Tuesday 17 April).

Completed forms should be left in the violet box on the table in front of the notice board or returned to Christina Driscoll or the Vicar.

Pulpit

After extensive consultation, the Fabric Committee have commissioned a prototype for a new pulpit for St Mary's, so that the views of the congregation can be obtained.

Please give your comments about the proposed design to Graham Chappell or the Vicar (both of whom can be reached via our Contact Us page).

Our thanks go to Dave Richards and Reg Hellard for all the work they have put into making this excellent prototype.

Mothering Sunday

Next Sunday is Mothering Sunday. There will be a special service at 10.00, when posies will be distributed to our Mums.

Please invite your friends and neighbours - especially young families - to come and share this special occasion with us.

Posies will be available at the 8.00am service also.

Mothers’ Union, Eaton Bray With Edlesborough

At our meeting on Wednesday, 14th February, we were pleased to welcome, as our speaker, Jenny Duke assisted by her friend Elka.

Prayers were said by Christine after which Jenny proceeded to show us her lifetime of work in quilts and patchwork. Jenny had worked hard to obtain her City & Guilds of which she showed us her set pieces of work. She has been teaching at Barnfield College for seven years and still takes private work shops. She designs all of her own work including patterns, colours and materials. Her first handwork quilt depicting ‘Grandmothers’ Flower Garden’ was exquisite. Various types of patchwork, boxwork, quilt and applique work were passed around and the work in each piece amazed us all. She is a remarkable lady. She previously visited us with Ruth Deacon who spoke about her work in China. They had just heard that seven people they had met had become Christians. Jenny spent two years in America where patchwork and quilting is more fashionable than here. Quilts are made in Church and distributed to distressed children.

It was a very pleasant afternoon enjoyed by fourteen members. We were pleased to welcome Muriel and would welcome any other ladies who care to join our very informal gathering.

Jenny was thanked by us all and refreshments were served and we ended with Grace at 4pm.

Vicar's Letter - March 2007

This month we celebrate the 200th anniversary of the abolition of the slave trade throughout the British Empire, associated with the name of William Wilberforce, who campaigned vigorously and with dogged perseverance against this terrible traffic in human lives. Wilberforce campaigned as a committed Christian. He saw slavery as a moral offence, totally incompatible with the teaching of Jesus.

Continue reading this month's Vicar's Letter.

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