Churches Together invite you to a concert by a group of professional Christian musicians, Face2Face, who perform a wide variety of music, including classical, rock, jazz, pop, ballads and opera, at Eaton Bray Village Hall on, 17 July at 7.30pm (doors open 7.00 pm).

The evening will include a ploughman's supper (please bring own drinks and glasses). Tickets: £12.50 and £10.00 (for over 60's). CD's will be available for purchase. For tickets contact Chriss or Debbie.

The members and visitors were welcomed to the home of Joan and Graham Chappell, for the meeting and afternoon tea on Wednesday 12th May. Joan led the devotions and read a poem that she had written and birthday cards and wishes were extended to Dorothy, Jean Bates, Deirdrea, Fay Smith, Barbara Ilic, June Morton and Anne Hunt.

Deirdrea introduced Jenny Moody from the Luton Women's Aid and Refuge, who spoke about her work at the center over the years, with victims of domestic abuse and violence,both women and children.

Women enter a refuge to escape domestic violence and abuse, and with practical help, emotional support and a safe place to stay, they are able to slowly recover and rebuild their lives and regain their dignity. How grateful we all were, that our experiences were able to be so different to theirs.

In 2002 Jenny was awarded an MBE for her services and in 2005 was given an honorary MA for the work with the Luton Women's Aid.

The Guild members, over the past few months had collected toiletries and other essential items for the ladies and children at the center. Marjorie Mann presented two large boxes of goods to Jenny and a plant and thank you card for being the speaker.

A special 'May tea' had been prepared by Joan and the committee which was greatly enjoyed and waistbands appeared much tighter afterwards !! There was a raffle and bring and buy stall.

Joan Chappell was thanked by Deirdrea for making everyone feel so welcome and for the lovely cakes that she had made and Graham for all the preparations prior to our visit. Marjorie presented Joan with a plant and Graham some wine.

The next meeting is on Wednesday at 2.00pm at the church, when the speaker will be Sister Alvoria on “My life as a nun”.

Visitors are always welcome at our meetings to hear the speaker, enjoy the teas and share in the fellowship and friendship that we enjoy.

Chris Banks, in his role as acting Chairman of the PCC, welcomed the new members of the PCC to the meeting of St Mary's PCC held at Dagnall Church on April 29th.

Areas of responsibility and the composition of committees for the following year were agreed. We are still looking for someone to act as coordinator for all the fund-raising and social events.

Christine Farrington will take one Sunday Service a month at St. Mary's.

It was agreed that £100 from the proceeds of the Open Gardens on June 13th would be donated to the Scouts attending the Jamboree.

The number of people attending the parish lunches on the third Sunday of the month is increasing and Jenny Hewett appealed for more volunteers to help with setting up the hall and preparing the meals.

Peter Bennett has agreed to serve as Chairman of the Burghope Charity for another term.

-- The Church Mouse

Have you thought about participating in Sunday morning worship as an acolyte? Please consider becoming an acolyte, full training will be given. Members of the choir are acting as acolytes at the moment, which they enjoy, but are not in a position to fulfil the role properly.

Please contact the Churchwardens if you are interested.

Parish Lunch held every third Sunday from 12 - 2 pm is proving to be a great success; numbers are increasing every month. In order for the lunches to continue each month more help is desperately needed, either to help in the kitchen or to act as hosts / hostesses, serving at the tables and helping to clear up at the end of the lunch. Male or female you will be most welcome. If you would like to know more about the lunches please contact Jennie Hewett.

Those of you who attended the Annual Meeting will know that this year we again face a deficit. Instead of 'putting pressure on members' the PCC has felt that we will encourage you all to respond to the church's needs in the best way you can. Efforts are being made to have as many fund raising and social events in the calendar this year and, by so doing, it is hoped sufficient income will be forthcoming, not from just members, but also from members of the community attending such functions. It may then be possible, at the year end, to allocate some of the income to charitable causes, retaining as much as is needed to balance our books.

Please support these fundraising events as much as you can, fun can be had as well as the knowledge that you are assisting the church. With many thanks in anticipation of a good response.

-- David Mann, Treasurer