August 2025
The Parish of Freshford with Limpley Stoke and
Hinton Charterhouse
Greetings! Pat and I are looking forward to meeting you all, settling in and setting off together on the next era in the life of this lovely community. August will be a happy month! For this month I have suggested that the service on Sunday 3rd be at St Peter’s Freshford (following my Institution service at Church of St John the Baptist, Hinton Charterhouse the previous Monday). We are in the process of moving into the Rectory as I write this. Thank you for our welcome gift. Last night we had our first (cooling) rain, and saw the most beautiful rainbow, somehow “circling our parish”. We worshipped and prayed, and asked for God’s blessing. Love and prayers, Nigel and Pat.
Nigel’s induction
We had a very happy evening in the church of St John the Baptist, Hinton Charterhouse, on Monday 28th July as Nigel was installed as Rector of Freshford with Limpley Stoke and Hinton Charterhouse. Bishop Michael Beasley, Bath and Wells, preached on the Gospel, “He is risen” – the fact of our faith, that Jesus is the one true foundation for our lives, and that he calls us to tell others. Nigel and Pat say “Thank you to Liz, Penny and everyone who made is feel so welcome.”
The hymns included: Praise my soul the king of heaven, In Christ alone my hope is found, King of kings, majesty, and Lord of all hopefulness. A wonderful reception was held in the grounds, made perfect by the setting sun. The cake was made by Cathy Tucker.
News from St Peter’s
We are very much looking forward to welcoming Pat and Nigel for Nigel’s first full service at St Peter’s on the 3rd August at 10.30.
The Freshford School leaver service on 21st July went well with Nigel presenting the bibles to the leavers.
The wedding of Steve and Debbie’s daughter, Holly, is on Saturday the 2nd August at 1:30 pm. The bells will be rung after the service as we walk to the Village Hall for the reception. Let’s hope the weather continues to be dry!
We are continuing to collect rice, salt, sugar, lentils, chickpeas and other pulses such as dried peas or beans for Food.gives, a Barnabas charity. All food is dry, no tins. If you would like to donate there is a covered box near the kitchen area at St Peter’s.
We have Café Church on the 31st August and Steve, Roland and Debbie are going to be away so we are looking for volunteers for the food and someone to organise the refreshments.
If you can help, please let Debbie Ashcroft know.
News from St Mary’s
In August there will be two services at St Mary’s – a service of Holy Communion at 10.30 where the theme will be on how we encourage each other to build our lives on the foundation of Jesus Christ. On the 31st of August at 5.00pm there will be a traditional (BCP) service of evening prayer, with an emphasis on showing hospitality.
News from St John’s
Liz reports that July has been a quiet month with the usual services, which allowed us to fully prepare for Nigel and Pat’s welcome. This is described above. Liz says: “I would like to thank everyone who worked so hard to make the evening such a spectacular event”.
Services for August
3rd August 10:30 am St Peter’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
10th August 10:30 am St John’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
17th August 10:30 am St Mary’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
24th August 10:30 am St Peter’s Holy Communion (Common worship)
31st August 10.30 am St Peter’s Café Church
31st August 5.00pm St Mary’s Traditional Evening Prayer (Book of Common Prayer)
Faith Matters
On Tuesday evenings in August, I am offering an opportunity to meet. Called “Faith Matters,” we will use favourite bible passages to tell and explore why faith is important, and “how we tick”. Suitable for anyone with an interest in, or question about, faith. All questions good. Everyone welcome.
Tuesday 5th, 12th 19th, 26th at 7-8.30pm in St Peter’s Church, Freshford. Revd Prebendary Nigel Rawlinson
Ladies Wednesday walking group
There will be no walking group in August but we start again on the 10th September, followed by the 8th October, 12th November, 1oth December and the 14th of January 2026.
Please contact Debbie Ashcroft on 07889 780984 or debbieashcroft@live.co.uk if you would like to join the walking group.
All welcome! Debbie
Monday Zoom sessions
If you don’t get out much and feel like a chat, a small group of us zoom together for 45 minutes on a Monday morning. To give it a try, please contact Penny Jones on jonespennyg@gmail.com. Penny
List of contacts
Rector
Nigel Rawlinson rectornigel2025@gmail.com
Churchwardens St Peter’s, Freshford
Roland Birchby birchbyr@gmail.com or Tel: 01225 723432
Debbie Ashcroft debbieashcroft@live.co.uk
Steve Ashcroft steveashcroft@hotmail.co.uk
Churchwarden St John’s, Hinton Charterhouse
Liz Wordsworth hintonwords@icloud.com
Churchwardens St Mary’s, Limpley Stoke
Trevor Quartermaine redadmiral7965@gmail.com
David Sibley dssibley38@gmail.com
Parish Administrator
Debs Jones contact.parishoffice@gmail.com 01225 720347