Church Warden’s Report – March 2025

Thankfully, the days are drawing out and spring is approaching but it’s been a wet cold year for all of us. It seems that even the Toads are hiding away and delaying their migratory visit to the pond to date. Only the snowdrops seem to be flourishing and in greater profusion than ever especially in the field behind St Cyr’s church and in the church yard.

Bell Ringers

Meanwhile, we can look forward to enjoying the sound of the St Cyr’s church bells again on a regular basis. Andrew Ward from the local Wotton Bellringers branch is arranging a series of bi-weekly advanced minor practices for Wotton Branch ringers. On the second and fourth Monday evenings each month. 7:00 -8:30 pm Please let him know if you’re likely to attend, and if there are any particular minor methods you’d like to ring. The emphasis will be on Surprise minor, with the aim of working through the ‘standard 41’ – the ‘new’ method for this first practice will be Allendale (2nds place Norwich above, Allendale below). Other methods will be rung, especially if any local (Stinchcombe) ringers are able to attend.

Sponsored Walk

Looking ahead, another event to include in your diary is the St Cyr’s Sponsored Walk which is taking place on Saturday 29th March 2025. This year the Sponsored Walk will start from Gloucester and conclude at Slimbridge. It is in aid of two good causes namely St Cyr’s church and the Stroud Food Bank. As ever we are seeking support in the form of sponsorship for this event, so your help is warmly requested, but additional walkers are welcomed. Further details can be obtained from Pippa Leggate: email pleggate@aol.com

Mothering Sunday 30th March – 10.30am St Cyr’s Church

There will be a simple service of praise and thanksgiving centered on Mums and all those wonderful carers of our children. Please come and join in with family and friends of all ages for a time together with music, story, craft and thanksgiving. More details to follow but be sure to put the date in your diary.

Electoral Roll

Would you to consider being on the electoral roll for St Cyr’s church? This could be a small step in showing your support for the church as part of the heritage of Stinchcombe and a sacred centre for our community. Joining the electoral roll gives you official membership of the church, a way to show that you belong. It enables you to vote at the annual meeting and to be eligible to join the PCC (Parochial Church Council) which makes decisions about the direction and future of the church. There is no financial obligation or expectation for you to be on a committee! Every six years the electoral roll for Saint Cyr’s church is to be completed. All those already on the roll will need to reapply and we welcome new supporters. The media often use the Electoral Role figures when they write articles such as ‘the church is dying’ – so joining is a way of showing that the church community is alive and a reflection of all those involved in making St Cyr’s such a special place in our community.

Application forms for the electoral roll can be collected from Joan Jelfs or from the church. Alternatively, you may want to print one off by following this link and selecting Form 1 https://parishresources.org.uk/the-pcc-as-a-charity/apcms-and-electoral-roll/#Preparation_new_roll

In all cases, please return completed forms to the church.

The roll will be open from April 15th to April 29th and published in St Cy’rs church after its completion. If you are resident in the Parish, the only requirements for you to join the roll are that you are baptised, over 16, and for you to consider yourself a member of the Church of England. Finally, thank you again to all those who have generously supported the church over the last few years and who hold it as a central place within this wonderful village whether you worship with us or enjoy this special building.

The approach of Easter:

Please note that Easter falls rather later this year towards the end of April with Ash Wednesday marking the start of Lent on Wednesday 5th March. This will be marked with a service at St George’s, Cam and a Holy Communion service at St Cyr’s at 11.10 on Sunday 9th March. Full details of the Easter services will be provided nearer the time, although there will be a reflective service at 2pm at St Cyr’s on Good Friday 18th April March and a Eucharist on the 20th April – Easter Sunday.

Pippa Leggate – Church Warden