June 2024
see lower down for services!
Dear Friend
The medieval preaching cross in Ampney Crucis churchyard depicts four figures – one on each face. One of the figures is St Lawrence. He was ordered by the Romans to hand over the treasure of his church – he promptly presented the Roman Commander with the poor and dispossessed people associated with the church for, to his mind, these were the real treasures of the church.
As you might expect, the Roman authorities weren’t too amused, and St Lawrence was martyred for this insubordination.
The poem ‘Septuagesima’ by John Betjeman reflects how important ordinary faithful people are in the common life of our church community – and that’s true of many of our community groups too. Most of these people get little thanks or praise, but they quietly provide great services for us – which often goes unrecognised.
"Let’s praise the man who goes to light,
The church stove on an icy night.
Let’s praise that hard-worked he or she,
The Treasurer of the PCC.
Let’s praise the cleaner of the aisles,
The nave, the candlestick, the tiles.
Let’s praise the organist who tries.
To make the choir increase in size,
Or if that simply cannot be,
Just to improve its quality.
Let’s praise the ringers in the tower,
Who come to ring in cold and shower.
But most of all let’s praise the few,
Who are seen in their accustomed pew,
Throughout the year, whate’er the weather,
That they may worship God together.
These, like the fire of glowing coals,
Strike warmth into each other’s souls.
And though they be but two or three,
They keep the church for you and me."
As I read this poem I see different people’s faces in my mind’s eye – both people here today and those from the past.
Thank you to all who work to support our little rural churches – you are real treasures, and we are all richer because of you.
As ever - John
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Services and Events in June, July and August 2024
Sunday 2nd June 1st Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
6pm Evensong Ampney St Mary
Wednesday 5th June Eve of D-Day – 80th Anniversary
7.30pm Commemorative Event The Old Airfield, Down Ampney
Tickets SOLD OUT
Saturday 8th June Gregory Stewart in Concert
7.30pm Light Classical and Down Ampney Church
Songs from the Shows Tickets £12 from Ticket Source
Sunday 9th June 2nd Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 16th June 3rd Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney St Peter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 23rd June 4th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 30th June St Peter's Day (Transferred)
10am Parish Communion Ampney St Peter
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Saturday 6th July
2.30pm Wedding of Florence & Charlie Down Ampney
Sunday 7th July 6th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
6pm Evensong Ampney St Mary
Sunday 14th July 7th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Wednesday 17th July
9.30am School Leavers’ Service Ampney Crucis
Sunday 21st July 8th Sunday after Trinity
Royal International Air Show Weekend
8am Holy Communion Ampney St Peter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Noon 75th Anniversary Service
for the WRAF Down Ampney
Sunday 28th July 9th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Noon Baptism Down Ampney
Thursday 1st August Lammas Day
Bishop’s Visit to the Cirencester Deanery
7.30pm Confirmation Service Ampney St Peter
Sunday 4th August 10th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
6pm Evensong Ampney St Mary
Sunday 11th August 11th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 18th August 12th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney St Peter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 25th August 13th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 1st September 14th Sunday after Trinity
8am Holy Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
6pm Evensong Ampney St Mary
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19th – 21st April BibLit – The Bibury Literature Festival
St Mary’s Church, Bibury, GL7 5NR
Hear and meet authors talk about their books –
Andrew Gimson, Caroline Montague, Sally Page,
Robert Hardman and more….
Contact
Please do get in touch with the Rector - John Swanton - for more information.
01285 851309