Rev Peter Thorn, our Priest-in-Charge for 6 years from 2009, sadly died in hospital following an operation at the beginning of February. During his time here Peter worked hard to establish groups in the Benefice to serve the wider community under the "4-Communities Action Group". Rev Peter left here in 2015 to semi-retire to a house-for-duty post in the Manchester Diocese where he could devote more time to his love of art and photography. Many residents of our parishes will grateful for Peter's ministry here and have fond memories of him. Please remember Peter's family and friends in your prayers.Photo shows Rev Peter at a leaving do in 2015
The start of Lent is under a month away so it is time to think about whether you will be doing something special to observe this season of the Church calendar. Traditionally lots of people, whatever their beliefs, use this as a time to give up something for 40 days - chocolate, smoking, alcohol etc - which is good especially if the saved money is given to do some good in the world. However, within the Church it is also a time to do something extra to deepen our faith. This year we are spoilt for choice in our benefice with 4 Lent Courses and a Book Group to choose from. Details are contained in two of the attached posters. All these groups are open to anyone, so please choose whichever one you like, regardless of who is organising it or where it is being held. Each group will benefit from having a cross section of people attending.
in August the J-Team Holiday Club was held for the 36th year in Barham Church. Apart from one year's break for the Covid pandemic, this 3-day event for primary School-aged children has run every year since 1987. The early J-Team attendees are now sending their own children and reminiscing on their own time at J-Team As a benefice we say a big thankyou to all those who organised and ran the J-Team holiday club this year and those additional people who turned up before and/or after to get ready and clear up. The 70 children aged between 5 and 11 were organised into three age groups for the 3 days and came from across the Claydon Benefice (Claydon, Barham Gt Blakenham and Henley) and beyond. The Church, the hall, the newly constructed terrace and two large marquees in the Churchyard were all used and filled with the voices of excited children. They had great fun with art & crafts, Bible stories and videos, singing, baking treasure hunts, games etc all on the theme of GOD'S LOVE. Being held the week after the Southport tragedies and the urban riots, It was certainly a week when we needed to think about God's love and our love for each other. Thanks to the generosity of a benefactor in the parish, every child and leader was was able to enjoy a Magnum ice cream at the end of a mini Olympics in the Churchyard on the Friday afternoon. The week ended with a "show and tell" celebration in Church for which the parents, grandparents etc turned out in large numbers packing the Church.
