July 2025
The Parish of Freshford with Limpley Stoke and Hinton Charterhouse
Dear Church Family,
The time is drawing near for Nigel’s licencing service on the 28th July and preparations for this are taking place.
My temporary role of writing the introduction for this newsletter will be ending as Nigel takes up leadership from the beginning of August. I’m sure he will be bringing his own ideas for the newsletter going forward.
Nigel is being licenced in St John’s Church at 7pm. More information will be sent out about this soon.
In the meantime, help is needed so please contact Liz Wordsworth or Penny Murray if you are able to help with food or flower arranging or setting up.
Debbie
News from St Peter’s
St Peter’s Church held its first concert since the restoration when the Akabella singers gave a wonderful performance. This was attended by more than 70 people and the church acoustics sounded great. We hope this will be the beginning of many such events being held in the church.
Thank you so much for the contributions ‘Food Gives.’ We have enough to send another box to Barnabas which is wonderful. This is a rolling collection so please continue to bring pulses, rice, salt and sugar and place in the box in St Peter’s.
We have purchased a book stand and would very much like to fill it with books! We are going to ask Harry to help us choose some from his book shop. If you would like to contribute to the purchase of a book, please let myself or Roland know. A paperback book costs about £12 but we are happy to receive any money you can spare! Book suggestions are also welcome. The books will be to borrow but we also hope to have a ‘favourite of the month’ which will be available to purchase.
Prayer
Please continue to pray for Pat and Nigel as they move into the area and prepare to take up their roles.
Give thanks for all the clergy who have supported us during the vacancy and provided us with such a wonderful variety of talks and leadership.
For the school teachers and governors as they head towards a well-earned rest.
For Pam who is still not very well.
Services for July
6th July 10.30 St John’s Morning Communion
13th July 10.30 St Peter’s Sunday Service
20th July 10.30 St Mary’s Morning Communion
27th July 10.30 St Peter’s Morning Communion
News from St Mary’s
The congregation at St Mary’s are greatly looking forward to having a new Rector from the end of July and would like to thank all the visiting clergy who have kept our services going and providing continuity during the interregnum.
Sunday 20th July 10.30am Morning Service with Communion. We welcome Rev Andy Hutchinson, the Chaplain at Monkton Combe School, for the final service he will be taking for us.
News from St John’s
We started the month well with an excellent service led by Matt Vaine, who has helped regularly at Freshford School during the Vacancy. We have also had two weddings in June – the granddaughter of Nick and Meg Paige and sister of Kate Freeman, both of whom live in The Glebe. They were very happy occasions and beautifully led by visiting clergy. We are now gearing up for the Licensing of Nigel Rawlinson at St John’s on 28th July and look forward to having him and Pat with us. But first on 5th July we have the village fete which a number of St John’s congregation are very involved with. Everyone welcome – it is always a happy occasion.
Ladies Wednesday walking group
The next walk is on the 9th July. There will be no walking group in August. 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
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