SERVICES THIS WEEKEND – 3rd May
9.00 am Messy Church
10.00 am Holy Communion with Choir
11.00 am Annual Parochial Church Council Meeting
6 pm Holy Communion
MESSY CHURCH – Held on the first Sunday of each month. The next date is 9am on Sunday 8th February Messy Church is Church, but not as you know it. It is for everyone, and every element aims to be relevant and accessible to all ages. It reflects God’s creativity in its imaginative, hands-on approach to being Church together. Join the fun of creativity, hospitality, and celebration. Everyone is welcome.
COFFEE MORNING – Join us on for coffee and cake on Thursday between 9.15 am and 12.00 pm at St Mary’s, Olveston.
CALLING OUR YOUNG PEOPLE
Join us for Refresh, it’s a café style of church held at St Mary’s, Olveston on Saturday afternoon at 4.30 pm. Term time only. Join us and take a long a friend of two. You will be very welcome.
Messy Church is proving very popular indeed. The latest one, 1st February, was attended by 14 children and an equal number of adults. Breakfast provided, probably more healthy than the one served at the Big Breakfast! Arts and crafts for Juniors always enthuse the children Perhaps the highlight of the morning was watching all the youngsters sitting in a semi circle and captivated by David Lloyd’s talk. Well done everyone.
SAVE THE DATES
Is compiled by Martin Gibson (mrtngibs@aol.com) or phone 01454 616856.
The next BIG BREAKFAST is on Saturday 2nd May at St Mary’s Olveston. The starting time has been moved to 9:30 to allow everyone a little more time. The menu will include a full English breakfast plus toast and marmalade and tea and coffee. No charge, though we always appreciate any donation you may care to leave. If you have a non-church going friend you would like to bring with you they will be most welcome. Any further information from Martin t: 07990970725.
2025 ANNUAL ACCOUNTS – St Mary the Virgin Olveston with Aust
Some hard copies of the 2025 Annual Accounts are now available in church prior to being presented to the Annual Parochical Church Meeting (APCM) and Parishioners on Sunday 3rd May at 11.30 am. Alternatively, if anyone requires an electronic version please contact me via e-mail at dlprothero@talk21.com.
The draft 2025 minutes from the last APCM can be found by clicking the link on the footer of our home page.
The APCM is the most important meeting of the year and will include election and re-election to the PCC as well as financial reports. There will also be the opportunity for anyone to raise matters of concern or interest.
Join us for a fun filled Quiz Night– Saturday 9th May 7.30 pm
Get ready for a fun and friendly evening at our Quiz Night on Saturday 9th May at 7:30pm! Gather your friends, family, or neighbours and form a team of up to six people to test your knowledge, enjoy some laughs, and share a great community evening together. Tickets are £10 per person, which includes a delicious supper, and a paying bar will also be available. Whether you’re a quiz expert or just coming along for the fun, everyone is warmly welcome. Spaces are limited, so be sure to book your place soon by contacting Debbie at oboe-debbie@live.co.uk. We look forward to seeing you there!
THY KINGDOM COME SERVICE– 14th May at 7 pm, St Mary’s, Olveston
Thy Kingdom Come (TKC) is a global ecumenical prayer movement inviting Christians around the world to pray from Ascension to Pentecost for more people to come to know Jesus. A special Benefice Service will be held on Ascension Day, 7pm Thursday, 14th May, at St. Mary’s Olveston. The service will end with the Olveston Bells ringing from the Tower. A free booklet, written by the Archbishop Sarah Mullally, will be distributed to you all.
Feria Baroque Ensemble – Charity Concert at St Mary’s, Olveston – 16th May at 7.30 pm
Following their fantastic concert in September, part of the Feria Orchestra returns—this time offering a very different musical experience.
The Feria Baroque Ensemble, made up of orchestra members alongside professional guest musicians, will present a special charity concert celebrating the music of Bach, while also exploring works by great composers such as Mozart, Mendelssohn, and Tchaikovsky.
The programme will include Bach’s Double Concerto for Two Violins and Air on the G String, movements from Mozart’s Clarinet Quintet, and a selection of works by Tchaikovsky.
All proceeds from the concert will go in aid of Children’s Hospice South West.
Tickets: £10 (available on the door)
OLVESTON PARISH HISTORICAL SOCIETY EXHIBITION – Saturday 23rd May with cream teas on Tockington Green.
Olveston Parish Historical Society will be exhibiting many of its collection of historical items in the Parish Hall.
It’s an all-day event and will feature archive material of parish life over the centuries, as far back as 1,000 years ago. During the past year OPHS has been cataloguing all the material left by the late Eric Garrett which will prove of Great interest to all of us. In addition there has been recent and productive research into the ancient mills of Tockington and its “free” chapel, lost in the mists of time. Entry is free.
SUMMER FETE – ST MARY’S, OLVESTON SATURDAY 18TH JULY, 2-4 pm
This is always a wonderful community event—and we’re hoping for sunshine again this year!
Looking ahead, we’re putting together a team to support Debbie in organising what promises to be a fantastic day for our community.
These events only happen because people like you step forward—and right now, your help is more important than ever. Whether you can spare a little time or take on a bigger role, every bit of support makes a real difference. To make it happen, we really need your help.
If you can help in any way, please let Debbie Harries know: oboe-debbie@live.co.uk. We’d be so grateful—thank you!
The FRIENDS of St. MARY’s financially support our church through the monthly lottery. Over the years, it has donated more than £125,000 by funding items such as church carpets, pew runners, handbells, bell ropes, etc. Currently, we give £5000 annually to the Church.If you want to join the lottery, just talk to Andy Phillips (andisp28@hotmail.com) or ask David Prothero (diprothero@talk21.com). The monthly cost can be as little as £2, and the ten lucky winners receive over £400 monthly between them. Don’t forget if you’re not in, you can’t win!