Love is in the air!
There’s something new for Valentine’s at St Marys’ Church this year, with a special celebration of Love and Commitment at our 10am service on Sunday 16th February.
Our theme is love in all its wonderful shapes and sizes – from marriage, friendships and parenting, to our commitment to caring for others and for the world. There will be favourite hymns, readings and prayers on the theme, and the chance to make a personal commitment to cherish our loved ones. Everyone is welcome, with special activities for children in our Little Fishes Sunday School. And perhaps bring someone special with you? Maybe a life-long friend, or if you were married at St Marys’, take this opportunity to remember your special day? The service will last about 50 minutes, with bubbly and cake afterwards, to continue the celebration.
Also this month … for all your amateur sleuths … don’t miss our now famous Murder Mystery play, with two performances on Saturday 15th February at 2.30pm and 7pm. This year, we debut Tetbury’s very own mystery: “Who killed the Feoffee?”, with delicious refreshments and the challenge of working out “who dunnit”. Book early to avoid disappointment.
Other dates for your diary include the invitation to all the family to our monthly iSingPOP CELEBRATE at St Mary’s School on Sunday 9th February, 4,00-5.30pm, again on the theme of love. Finally, you can mark the beginning of Lent with the traditional Ash Wednesday service at 7pm on Wednesday 26th February.
And a personal note to end. Just to say, it is lovely to be back with you all after my three-month sabbatical. I am so grateful to everyone who supported our life and ministry in the Benefice during that time, and I returned with much to be thankful for. I began with a silent retreat at St Beuno’s Centre for Jesuit Spirituality in North Wales, following the 30-Day Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius. It was a profound and challenging experience which, I know, will continue to shape my faith and ministry for the rest of my life. I then joined my husband Garry in Ferrara, a lovely walled city in north-east Italy, dating from Medieval/Renaissance times. Living in small rented apartment, we enjoyed every-day life, particularly walking, cooking with the wonderful local produce, learning Italian and immersing ourselves in the rich culture, with lots of art, music and film. What a blessing!
With love and prayers, Poppy
The Revd. Poppy Hughes (Rector)
St Mary The Virgin & St Mary Magdalen Church, Tetbury