​NEWS FROM ST GILES & THE PCC

Firstly thanks to all those who helped and supported at our wonderful Harvest Thanksgiving service and supper on 5 October (especially Shirley James for her co-ordinating and organising).   Over 80 came to St. Giles for our service, beautifully ‘conducted’ by Rev. Peter;  the decorations were superb, with fruit, flowers and hay bale to remind us of our local farming community.

Victory Hall was again filled to overflowing with people and food- a super evening to enjoy each other’s company and brilliant cooking. 
 
Meanwhile our restoration project is again underway… internal building will have started by the time you receive your ‘Litport Echo’, and we hope that the accessible toilet and servery will be completed by Christmas.   The external drains work & digging starts later in November, and it will depend on how that proceeds (and whether we have any ‘finds’ which may delay digging) as to whether all the connections can be made to toilet/sinks etc. so that everything can be used by Christmas.   Please take note of the signs inside St. Giles,  and in particular, to the HEALTH  &  SAFETY signage outside.   We will have to restrict access to the churchyard to the lych gate entrance ONLY.

During building, St. Giles will be open as usual every day, including for services (times are listed in this issue).
Although building is starting, we are still fundraising to cover costs of renovating the organ and building storage cupboards plus the professional fees (and the Diocese has insisted we have a professional archaeologist to supervise digging, which has added an estimated £975 to the budget costs).  To date we have raised almost £32,000  (inc. monies donated for pews, £940).  The total works budget is £ 42,250  so we have a little way to go…      Do you use Easyfundraising?   Can you help with ideas for an event or host a coffee morning perhaps?    If you’d like to help, please contact the churchwardens, Martin Mcvinnie or John Watkins.
Lastly, and most importantly, we welcome everyone to 3 special services for Christmas at St Giles –

• Sun  8 December,  6pm   ‘Decorate the Tree & Christingle Service’    join in decorating our christmas tree (decorations provided for everyone to put on the tree),  filling the manger with toy animals,  and enjoy a festive service with favourite carols;
• Sun 22 December,  6.30pm   Christmas Carol Service with Refreshments following in Victory Hall;
• Weds 25 December,  8am   Christmas Day Holy Communion Service

 
We look forward to seeing you at St. Giles!
The PCC.

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