More information regarding Water Stratford HERE
VISITORS
A delightful party of church history enthusiasts from Oxfordshire visited St Giles in June, to enjoy the building, as well as a talk by Mike and refreshments by Di. It was good to share their company, and our churchwarden was heartened to find people even older than him travelling around the countryside indulging in pub lunches and church visits! As a bonus, a substantial sum was contributed to church funds.
REST IN PEACE
In June the ashes of Gerald Harris were laid to rest in our churchyard.
SUMMER SERVICES
Rogation was once again marked in our parish with a meaningful service prepared by Chris. He and Revd Paula led the assembled company on a walk around the lovely countryside we are privileged to call home, reflecting at various stopping points with readings and prayers. It puts one in mind of Coleridge's Ancient Mariner, who found it sweet
To walk together to the kirk
With a goodly company! …
And all together pray...
He prayeth best, who loveth best
All things both great and small,
For the dear God that loveth us,
He made and loveth all.
Many thanks also to Chris and Fiona for taking on the Pimms and Hymns service, providing the usual enjoyable selection of poems and welcome refreshments. We were delighted that Revd Paula was able to join the service hot-foot from Tingewick.
Revd Paula, Di, the choir and congregation helped us keep alive the ancient rural feast of Lammas in our ancient rural church. This celebrates the start of the new harvest, and the traditional Lammas ('Loaf Mass') loaf of bread was prominently displayed at the service. Farmers, on whom we so heavily depend for our food, and who are working so hard at this time of year, in increasingly unpredictable weather conditions, were particularly remembered.
REMEMBER ~ CHURCH IS COOL
...announces the flyer on our noticeboard. We hope our church's coolness was appreciated during the heatwaves – and also the efforts of those who clean and arrange flowers, providing a pleasant sanctuary within its 'holy stones'.
