September - November Newsletter

Dear Friends, 

As summer slowly gives way to autumn, we begin to notice the familiar signs of the changing season. The mornings become cooler, the evenings draw in, the fields and hedgerows take on their autumn colours, and we give thanks for the harvest gathered in - especially mindful that it has been a very hard year for farmers.

Autumn is a beautiful reminder that life is made up of different seasons, each with its own character, blessings and opportunities. If, like me, you share the Christian faith, you can be encouraged that, whatever season we find ourselves in, God is with us and His faithfulness never changes.

As we look towards the months ahead, we hope that our four churches will continue to be places where people can find welcome, friendship, prayer and a sense of belonging. Whether you are a regular churchgoer, someone who comes occasionally, or perhaps have not been to church for some time, you are very warmly invited to join us.

There will be a variety of services, special occasions and events taking place across our four parishes during the autumn and winter. We encourage you to have a look and see what is happening in your own village and in the neighbouring churches. Some services will be our regular pattern of worship, while others will offer opportunities to celebrate, remember, give thanks and simply come together as a community.

Please do join us whenever you can. You may find a particular service or event that speaks to you, or perhaps discover an opportunity to meet people you haven't seen for a while. We would love to see familiar faces, but equally we are always delighted to welcome those who are new.

Autumn can also be a time when we become more aware of those around us who may be lonely or finding life difficult. Perhaps we can all take a little time to look out for a neighbour, share a cup of tea, offer a helping hand or simply have a conversation. Small acts of kindness can make a very real difference.

As we enter this new season together, let us give thanks for the beauty of our villages, for the harvest and for the many people who make our communities special. Above all, may we remember God's presence with us in every season of life.

“For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven.”
Ecclesiastes 3:1

With every blessing and hope to see you soon. 

Revd Jo

A PRAYER POEM FOR AUTUMN

Lord, as autumn leaves begin to fall,
Remind us, Lord, You hold us all.
Through golden days and skies of grey,
Be near us, Lord, and guide our way.

For every harvest, thank You, Lord,
For daily blessings You afford.
Teach us to trust when seasons change,
And find Your peace when life feels strange.

As trees let go of leaves once green,
Help us release what might have been.
Fill our hearts with faith anew,
And keep us, Lord, so close to You.

Amen.

SERVICES IN SEPTEMBER

September 2nd  Wednesday

10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

September 3rd Thursday NO MORNING PRAYER

September 6th SUNDAY Trinity 14

08:30        Holy Communion (BCP) at Stanton Harcourt

11:00        Harvest Café Church at Northmoor

17:00        All Age Harvest Festival at Yelford with bring and share supper afterwards

September 9th Wednesday

10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

September 10th Thursday

08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

September 13th SUNDAY Trinity 15

10:00        Harvest Festival Holy Communion at Stanton Harcourt

September 16th  Wednesday

10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

September 17th Thursday

08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

September 20th SUNDAY Trinity 16

08:30        Holy Communion (BCP) at Yelford

11:00        Holy Communion at Standlake

11:00 Morning Praise at Northmoor

September 23rd Wednesday

10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

September 24th Thursday

08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

September 27th SUNDAY Trinity 17

09:30        Holy Communion at Standlake

11:00        Benefice Choral Eucharist at Northmoor

September 30th Wednesday

10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

SERVICES IN OCTOBER

October 1st Thursday

08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

October 4th SUNDAY Trinity 18

08:30        Holy Communion (BCP) at Stanton Harcourt

11:00        Café Church at Standlake

11:00 Morning Praise at Northmoor

18:00        Taize Service at Yelford

October 7th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom

October 8th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

October 11th SUNDAY Trinity 19

10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Stanton Harcourt

October 14th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake 

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

October 15th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

October 18th SUNDAY Trinity 20

08:30        Holy Communion (BCP) at Yelford

11:00        Harvest Festival at Standlake

October 21st Wednesday (please note change of time)
11:00        Harvest Holy Communion at Standlake  followed by Harvest Lunch

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

October 22nd Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

October 25th SUNDAY (Last after Trinity)

09:30        Holy Communion at Standlake

11:00        Benefice Choral Eucharist at Northmoor

October 28th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

October 29th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

SERVICES IN NOVEMBER

November 1st SUNDAY All Saints Day

08:30        Holy Communion (BCP) at Stanton Harcourt

10:00        Café Church at Northmoor

November 2nd Monday

All Souls Service 7pm at Standlake

November 4th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

November 5th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

November 8th REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY

10:45        Remembrance Service at Stanton Harcourt

November 11th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

November 12th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

November 15th SUNDAY Second before Advent

08:30        Holy Communion (BCP) at Yelford

11:00        Harvest Festival at Standlake

11:00 Morning Praise at Northmoor

November 18th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

November 19th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

November 22nd SUNDAY Christ the King

09:30        Holy Communion at Standlake

11:00        Benefice Choral Eucharist at Northmoor

November 25th Wednesday
10:00        Benefice Holy Communion at Standlake  

20:30        Compline (Night Prayer) via Zoom 

November 26th Thursday
08:00        Morning Prayer via Zoom

November 29th SUNDAY Advent Sunday

08:30    Short Service of Holy Communion at Stanton Harcourt
15:00    Christingle Service at Standlake

UPCOMING DATES FOR YOUR DIARY

PCC MEETINGS AT OUR CHURCHES

Stanton Harcourt PCC meeting will be on Thursday 10th September at 7pm.

Standlake’s PCC meeting will be on Wednesday 30th September at 2pm.

Northmoor’s PCC meeting will be on Thursday 10th September at 2.30pm.

Yelford's PCC meeting will be on Wednesday 21st October at 7pm.

STANDLAKE VILLAGE MARKET

Saturday 5th September, Saturday 3rd October and Saturday 7th November. Held in the village hall between 11am and 1pm.

NORTHMOOR VILLAGE MARKET

Saturday 19th September, Saturday 17th October and Saturday 21st November. All held in the Village Hall between 10am and midday.

STANTON HARCOURT VILLAGE MARKET

Saturday 12th September, Saturday 10th October and Saturday 14th November. All held between 12 noon and 2pm in the Village Hall. 

NORTHMOOR

THE PEOPLE’S EMERGENCY BRIEFING FILM – Tuesday 8th September 6:30 for 7pm at Northmoor Village Hall.

The film features footage from last November’s National Emergency Briefing, which brought together leading UK experts in climate science, food security, health, economics, national security and nature.

It presents an overview of how the climate and nature crisis is affecting everyday life in Britain, and what the evidence says about risks and responses.

The initiative is explicitly non-partisan and is supported by a wide range of organisations including National Trust, Church of England, Exeter University, the Royal Meteorological Society, WWF, National Education Union, and many more.

For businesses, these issues are not abstract. They increasingly affect supply chains, insurance costs, workforce health, infrastructure reliability, energy prices, food systems and long-term investment stability.

The purpose of the Briefing is to support informed democratic discussion and ensure that public institutions, businesses and communities share a common understanding of the scale and urgency of the challenge - and the economic opportunities that flow from responding at pace.

NORTHMOOR HARVEST LUNCH

This ever-popular lunch using local meat and homemade puddings will be taking place on Sunday 11th October at Northmoor Village Hall and will cost £15 per person.  Places are limited, so to book yours please contact Michael Druce on 01865 300480. 

STANDLAKE

THANK YOU

Thank you to everyone who helped make the coffee morning at St Giles’ in August a success. Thank you to Anne for organising it and to those who helped, baked cakes and contributed in anyway. It is always lovely to see the church being used for events like this. £270.10 was raised. £212.60 will go towards the churchyard project and £67.50 to Maggie’s charity that supports cancer patients and their families.

COFFEE MORNING

St Giles' Church, Standlake Friday 25th September 10.30 -12 noon. Every autumn, Macmillan Coffee Morning brings communities together over coffee, cake, and compassion. Since its start in 1990, this event has grown into the UK’s largest single-day fundraiser, supporting people living with cancer and their families through vital Macmillan services. This year St Giles' will host a coffee morning and raffle for Macmillan Cancer Support

ORGAN RECITAL, ST GILES STANDLAKE - 13TH SEPTEMBER AT 6PM

Come and join us for an evening of organ music in our beautiful church. Terry will be playing a selection of music, including works by Bach, Sweelinck, Buxtehude and Belier. No tickets required, but donations welcome to go towards the up keep of the church. Bar open from 5.30pm.

AFTERNOON TEA, SUNDAY 20TH SEPTEMBER, STANTON HARCOURT 

You are most welcome to join us for a relaxing Afternoon Tea at Stanton Harcourt Village Hall to enjoy a selection of freshly cut sandwiches, scones with clotted cream and jam and a selection of cakes.  There will be 2 sittings, 2:30 to 3:30 and 4:30 to 5:30.  £15 for full Afternoon Tea, and with Prosecco/ Nosecco available if required for an additional £5 with all proceeds to St Michael's Church. Please email Jane Watts jane.saddleback@talktalk.net for further information.

HARVEST FESTIVAL & GIVING SERVICES, ST GILES, STANDLAKE

Sunday 18th October 11am

Joshua Townsend, from the Diocese will be taking over the sermon slot and talking to us about how we can support the church, to ensure that the doors remain open. This isn’t just about giving money but how we can help the church in other ways. Please come and support us, celebrate harvest and learn how we can preserve our beautiful church for generations to come.

HARVEST LUNCH

Wednesday 21st October 11am 

After the service we will be having our annual harvest lunch of soup, bread, cheese, fruit and cake. Everyone is welcome to attend and there is no charge, there will be a donations plate and all monies raised will go to Besom charity in Witney: Besom in Witney.

To help us with the catering please sign the list which will be in church from the beginning of October, or alternatively email: dodds.jane18@gmail.com

Please note the change of time for the service; it will be at 11am rather than 10am.

SATURDAY 14TH NOVEMBER 10AM- 3.30PM ST GILES’ CHURCH STANDLAKE

Sale of new and pre-loved Christmas Decorations 

This will coincide with the School Art Competition and Village-wide voting for the 800th Anniversary logo.  Both the sale and voting will continue on Sunday 15th November from 11.30am-2.30pm.

SATURDAY 21ST NOVEMBER 10AM – 12Noon

Annual Churchyard leaf Clearance

Volunteers needed to help clear the churchyard of leaves. Bring gloves, rakes & sacks. Bacon butties and hot drinks provided for all helpers. 

CHRISTMAS TREE FESTIVAL

Sunday 29th November – 6th January 2027

The second Christmas Tree Festival will be held in St Giles' Church, Standlake. The Church will be open every day and the Christmas Trees will be lit until Epiphany, 6th January. The Church is very grateful to all the businesses, charities, clubs and societies which have agreed to support this event.

SUNDAY 29TH NOVEMBER ST GILES’ CHURCH, STANDLAKE – 3PM

Christingle Service

Christingle is a joyful celebration that brings families and communities together to share the light of Jesus and spread a message of hope. This is a lovely service suitable for all the family, do come and join us. A collection will be taken during the service for The Children’s Society

UPDATE ON CHURCH PROJECTS, ST GILES CHURCH, STANDLAKE

Development of churchyard The topographical and tree surveys have been carried out and the next stage is to finalise the route of the path and also the siting of a more accessible entrance to the area. Once we have that we can apply for planning permission from WODC.

Lighting When the current lights were installed 25-30 years ago, the electricians were able to use ladders to install the fittings. Now with tighter health & safety rules we have been told that we need scaffolding for the electricians to work from. This will double the cost of the project.

Wi-Fi We are currently working with a company that specializes in getting Wi-Fi into rural areas where there is poor signal. They are confident that an aerial on the church steeple should be sufficient to access the local Vodaphone mast. The next challenge is to find the easiest and most cost-effective way of getting the aerial on the steeple and the cables into the church.

Refurbishment of the church toilet The hot water supply to the basin is not efficient and we are looking at getting a water heater installed. We would also like to fit a shelf and mirror to make it more user friendly.

These projects combined will cost thousands of pounds. We are confident that we should be able to get grants for some of the work, but in order to be eligible for the grants we will need to raise a certain percentage of the cost ourselves.

If you would like to be part of the fund-raising team, please let me know: dodds.jane18@gmail.com

If you would like to make a donation to the church, please use the QR code that will take you to the Standlake Parish Giving page, where you can make an on-line payment.

Thank you.

BENEFICE SOCIAL GROUPS

LADIES LUNCH

First Tuesday of the month. For more information contact Lillian Wetherald on 01865 300523.

TEACAKE TUESDAY

Second and Fourth Tuesdays, 10.30-12noon in St.Giles’ Church, Standlake. Do come and join us for toasted teacakes, coffee or tea and lots of good company! Donations we are given for refreshments are passed on to charities. More information from

Ann Leggett or Kitty Temple.a.e.leggett@outlook.com

MENS BREAKFAST

First Saturday of the month at the Harcourt Arms in Stanton Harcourt. Please contact Rob Brown on 07957 664117 for more information and to book your breakfast.

THURSDAY LUNCH CLUB

Meets every Thursday at noon in Northmoor Village Hall. Good food and company for £5.00. More information from Michael Druce 01865 300480.