News items from our Service Sheet
PLEASE NOTE: All news items should be sent to our Secretary in the Church Hall at gapo1876@outlook.com no later than 5pm on the preceding Wednesday, preferably by email or in writing. These should be as concise as possible as sheet content some weeks can be ‘heavy’. Priority will be given to items relating to Christ Church and St. Oswalds's, Newton matters – those relating to other activities can only be included if space permits.
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NEWS FOR THE PEWS
This week we pray for:
Church: For our Church Wardens, Alison and Rosemary and for all who use their gifts in building up the body of Christ in this place
Community: For an end to the antisocial behaviour that has been happening recently in Great Ayton
World: Peace in the Middle East and in all places of conflict and violence
Sick: Sally–Anne, Gwen, Stuart, Kiera, Gill, Celia - all we remember personally.
Anniversary: Keith Hepworth, Mick Dymond, John Jones, Steve Osborne, Peter Lofthouse, Margaret Wilson, Mary Barron (Beryl Lillington, Joan Gatenby, Frank Wise, Pauline Maxell, Pat Shaw, Cedric Dewent)
- Cafe Church Why not join us at Café Church in the Church Hall every 2nd and 4th Sunday for Cake, Coffee, Conversation, Worship and Wondering! 4pm for Cake, 4.30 for informal family Worship and 5pm for Discussion and Teaching (with groups for different age groups from about two and a half). Contact Nick Land (01642 778076) drnickland@aol.com for more info.
- Little Fishes meet at the Church at 9.45am every Tuesday during term time for preschool children and their parents/carers.
- The Chosen: on Mondays weekly at 6:30pm at Christ Church, in the Coffee Lounge. A 7 - week series for those who are curious about the Christian Faith and those who already have faith but want to think a bit more about Jesus and his ministry. Not a deep theological analysis nor a Bible Study but using the TV series The Chosen, we will watch an episode and have time for discussion and a short time of prayer. . Why not come along and bring a friend? There are no daft questions. For further detail contact Rev’d Sarah on: 07355 711010 or email: sarah@christchurchgreatayton.onmicrosoft.com
- We are only producing a shortened Annual Report this year primarily to publish the PCC Annual Report and Accounts. The report can be obtained through the attached link and a few paper copies will be available at the back of Church"
- Deputy Verger We are looking for some-one to act as the Deputy Verger for funerals and weddings when Mandy is on holiday or unable to attend. It would only be very occasionally and training would be given, it could be a joint role between two people. Please let Rosemary know if you are interested.
- Food Bank Sunday next week donations can be left at the back of Church.
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Please come to our Annual Parochial Church Meeting to be held in the Church Hall on Wednesday 18th March at 7.30pm. This is your chance to hear reports of the work and activities of our church in 2025 and to appoint the leaders who will take us forward into the future.
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Easter Flowers If anyone wishes to sponsor one of the Easter arrangements in memory of a loved one, please see Marina Charlton 01642 723087. A donation of £30 per arrangement is suggested and a card will be placed by each one.
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Church Spring Clean Weekend Friday 20th March from 4pm – high dusting in Church and Saturday 21st March from 9am cleaning and polishing. Volunteers very much appreciated.
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Do you have beautiful yellow Aconites flowering in your garden? If so, would you be willing to share some of them? We would like to include them in the new Wild Flower Patch. They are best planted 'in the green' after flowering. If you can help (or know someone who may) please tell Rev Geoff, Helen Land or Sue Grey.
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Collecting for Children in Distress Thank you for all that you have donated in the past. The charity is only collecting used stamps now and these have to be taken to Kirby Moorside. We have reluctantly decided not to collect in the future.
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Safeguarding Training The Church of England Training Portal is sending out reminders about Safeguarding Training. Please check with Mary Mason before you update your training.
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Spire Newsletter Issue 9 is now available at the back of Church, please take a copy and one for a friend! If you would like to sign up for an online copy please put your name and email address on the form at the back of Church.
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Parking Everyone likes to be able to park in the church car park during services, and we would like to maximise the number of cars we can accommodate. When parking, please could we fill the parking spaces from either end of the car park, rather than parking in the middle leaving large spaces between cars. Thank you for your consideration.
- Our Online Congregation Our regular congregation includes those in Christ Church and others online who watch our services via our Christ Church Facebook page. This outreach is important to our ministry but it does mean that, if you are in Church for our 9:15 service, you may be seen by those on Facebook. We must assume that those in Church agree to being filmed therefore, if you are uncomfortable with this for any reason, please speak to the Welcome Team. They will be able to advise you.
- Welcome Packs Please remember that we have a welcome pack for anyone new to our village. The Visitors Group is constantly looking for removal vans but everyone can be looking out too! Please contact Helen Dickinson – 01642 724450 if a pack is needed.
- Blister Pack recycling is back! After trials in the southeast Boots is now extending blister pack recycling to more stores - locally Northallerton, Guisborough, Teesside Park and Middlesbrough. You can just drop off your empty medication & vitamin blister packs in the collection containers.
- Bell Ringers Do you want to hear the Bells ring on Sunday Mornings? If you are 10 years or older and would like to volunteer as part of a rota to ring the bells on Sunday mornings (and earn a bit of pocket money at Weddings) please get in touch with Elsa on 07896 626016.
- Lights the little switches for use with keys for the lights, if you switch them off please turn them back on straight away as we are unable to get them back on.
- Church Lights The new light switches are not wired in, but work on a radio signal going to the lights. To ensure it gets there properly, and not just to one half of Church, Please give a slow deliberate press. A quick stab may just turn half the Church in at a time.
- Christ Church Visitors – If you know any member of the congregation (past or present) who would appreciate a regular visit from a member of the group please pass details to Rosemary Wheway on Tel: 01642 722451.
- Coffee - is usually served after our 9.15am service. We are pleased to welcome visitors and newcomers to our church and you are welcome to join us in the Coffee Lounge in the Church Hall immediately following the service.
- Give to the Church with your phone via our QR Code
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For Sunday's Bible Readings, please visit Service - Bible Readings