News from Woodmancote & Popham

In June we held our first fundraising event for St James since before the pandemic started.

What a joy it was to gather in Penny and Colin Dixon’s beautiful garden on a perfect June evening for drinks and canapes. Some of us had not seen one another for many months, so it was a happy time of reunion and catching up. The setting was perfect, with a golden light from the sun as it gradually sank lower over College Wood and the field behind the garden. Thanks to everybody’s generosity we raised over £800 from ticket sales and the raffle–a much needed boost for church funds as we face a challenging year ahead. We are so happy for Rob Rees whose Ordination took place at Winchester Cathedral on 4th July and we look forward to seeing him now and again at St James as he takes up his new role in the Upper Dever Benefice.

We have just one service in August, Sunday 8th at 6pm and an early notice for your diaries–our Harvest Festival will take place on Sunday 19th September, followed by a Harvest Lunch and we would love to see you there. Linda.

The sunshine in July was such a wonderful relief to us all. After such a strange year, with so much cold and wet weather, we have been blessed with warmth and sunshine. Somehow life is beginning to feel normal. I think the farmers have begun harvest only a week later than they usually start. The country is also getting back to some form of normality and, God willing, we will learn to live with this awful virus.

Here in Woodmancott we celebrated our Patronal service on 18th July. John took the service and Iain Henderson gave a thought provoking talk. We sang! Be it behind a mask to the music provided by Sheelagh and John with their Bose which was excellent. So wonderful to hear voices fill the Church. I can’t tell you how amazing it felt to be back in the Church to worship and thank God for all we have.

Afterwards we gathered in the evening sun to chat with a glass of wine and nibbles.

I hope the sunshine continues and everyone enjoys the summer and so we are able to relax and build up our resistance for the winter. Mary Wallis