NEW RECTOR APPOINTED

 

We are delighted to announce that Rev’d Phil Parker has been appointed as our new House for Duty Rector.

 

After a thorough and comprehensive recruitment process, with support from the Diocese, including from Bishop Colin himself, we offered the position to Rev’d Phil Parker on Thursday.  Phil will join us with over 30 years of ministry experience in the Church of England, much of that working in parishes and schools. Of the four candidates that applied, the panel unanimously agreed that Phil best demonstrated the passion that we were looking for from someone in this role and he also best reflected the specific needs we had defined in the Parish Profile.

 

Phil, and his wife Isabel, are planning to move into the Rectory on the 31st July so you may start to see them around the village in August. The current intention is that Bishop Colin will officially license Phil on the 7th September.

 

The PCC is delighted with this appointment and we look forward to introducing the church family and wider parish to him as soon as is practical. More details on this and his first official service will be shared when we know the details.

 

Please accept our gratitude for the way you have supported us during the Interregnum, not to mention the added complication of COVID-19 and lockdown. We look forward to meeting and worshipping with you in the very near future.

 

 

 

REOPENING OF ST LAURENCE APPLETON WITH BESSELSLEIGH

 

From Sunday 21st June, St Laurence Church will be open for individual* prayer Sunday and Wednesday 9am – 6pm each week.

 

 

In line with current government and Church of England directives and in order to help us keep our church building open and safe for all visitors, we are all required to observe the following:

 

 

-ENTER BY THE NORTH DOOR AND LEAVE BY THE SOUTH DOOR

 

 

-USE HAND SANITISER PROVIDED BEFORE OPENING THE DOOR AND AGAIN AS YOU LEAVE

 

 

- KEEP TO THE DESIGNATED AREA TO PRAY

 

-BRING YOUR OWN BIBLE OR RELIGIOUS TEXT – PAPER OF ANY KIND IS NOT ALLOWED IN CHURCH BUILDINGS FOR USE.

 

 

- BRING TISSUES WITH YOU IF YOU HAVE A COUGH OR COLD AND TAKE THEM AWAY WITH YOU FOR DISPOSAL

 

 

-OBSERVE THE GOVERNMENT GUIDELINE SOCIAL - DISTANCING 2 METRE RULE

 

 

-NO MORE THAN 8 PEOPLE IN CHURCH AT ANY ONE TIME

 

If you do discover you have Coronavirus having visited St Laurence please notify Roger Mitty 01865 863794

 

Thank you very much for your cooperation and understanding.

 

 

Take care and keep safe.

 

St Laurence PCC

 

 

* Individual prayer within a place of worship is defined as a person or household entering the venue to pray on their own and not as part of a group, led prayer or communal act. They should be socially distanced from other individuals or households.

 

New Christianity Explored Course

 

Christianity Explored is an informal and relaxed seven-week course, suitable for anyone who is wanting to think through some of life’s big questions.

 

You don’t need to know anything about the Bible, and you won’t be asked to pray or sing. You can ask any question you like, or you can just sit and listen. Oh yes – and it’s completely free!

 

In these strange times, you may have questions and CE is a great place to explore what life is all about. It might just be the best news you’ve ever heard.

 

We are planning to run a new course for anyone that may be interested sometime in the near future. If you would like further information or have any questions you would like to ask before committing please contact Stuart - [email protected] - One of our Churchwardens.

 

 

 

VE DAY CELEBRATION SERVICE:  WATCH NOW ONLINE  

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Watch the online as Appleton, Eaton and Besselsleigh celebrate VE Day:

 

WATCH NOW ON THE VILLAGE WEBSITE

 

ST LAURENCE CHURCH AT HOME

 

St Laurence YouTube Channel - Please follow this link https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeRmSVKDQntRdgZSl-thN3A on our St Laurence Youtube channel. The next service will be available from 9am on Sunday May 10th. Join us for our 75th Anniversary VE Day service.

 

Prayer Outreach - https://forms.gle/K6nGfxaSonzorLWd9

A parish prayer resource to encourage prayer for all needs but specifically those in the parish. If you would like to request a prayer please follow the link or call -

Roger Mitty 01865 863794.

 

Virtual Prayer Meeting - a twice-weekly virtual prayer meeting, praying for the global and local needs at this time:

Sunday @ 11:15

Wednesday @ 20:00

If you're interested in joining, email Stuart Gibson - [email protected] - to be added to the invitee list. You don't need a laptop/webcam to join (although these will help with the experience) - just a phone is sufficient.

 

 

OXFORD DIOCESE CHURCH AT HOME

 

Live streamed parish services

Many churches across the Diocese are live-streaming services. There's a huge range, from mini-tots praise to evening worship - and not just on a Sunday. You can participate when the service is first streamed, aware that you are joining with others in worship at that particular time, or you can click the link at a time that suits you.

Find a service 

 

Diocesan Church at Home services

Around 3,500 people attend Church at Home each Sunday at 10am. You'll find details here on the Diocesan website and you can participate then or later. This week Bishop Colin is presiding from his home in Yarnton.

 

Church services for those without the internet

Church at Home services from the Diocese of Oxford can now be accessed by telephone. Dial 01865 920930 to hear the latest service (press 0= short service, 1= full service). Normal call rates apply. Please pass this message on to those in your congregation who might welcome this way to be involved in worship at this time.