March 2025
see lower down for services!
Dear Friend
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The season of Lent begins on Ash Wednesday (5th March) when some of us will be reminded of our mortality when ashes are smeared in the form of a cross on our forehead and the following words said: “Remember that you are but dust and to dust you shall return”. These words hark back to the story in the Book of Genesis when God took dust, breathed life into it and formed the first man – Adam.
Being reminded of one’s own mortality is sobering and can be something of a jolt; and we British are not very good about talking about death and dying; or the span we have to live here on earth. And perhaps we sometime need that reminder or jolt to get us to consider how we want to spend the time we have left on this earth – for we can take it for granted and drift along.
Lent is a time of reflection and laying things down and picking things up. Perhaps we might use these 40 days of Lent this year to think about the life we lead. What we want to do; how do we really want to be with and for others – and ourselves? Who do we want to see? Where would we like to go? And what legacy would we like to leave – for our family, for our community, for ourselves?
A great gift to leave your family would be some directions as to what you would like to happen after you have gone – what sort of funeral would you like? What music and words matter to you that might be played, sung or spoken at your funeral? Write it down and let your loved ones know where it is.
Lent is a time when we are encouraged to have a bit of a spiritual, mental and physical ‘spring clean’; be reminded that we have a life to live to the full in knowledge that one day we all shall die. Seize these 40 days and live them!
And remember – dust can be transformed into diamonds!
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As ever - John
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The Rev'd Canon John Swanton
Rector of the South Cotswolds​
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John's last Sunday before he retires will be on Easter Day at Poulton Church at 10am
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Services and Events
March and April 2025
​Sunday 2nd March Sunday next before Lent
8am Holy Communion (BCP) Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Wednesday 5th March ASH WEDNESDAY
6pm Holy Communion Driffield
with Ashing
Sunday 9th March First Sunday of Lent
8am Holy Communion (BCP) Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 16th March Second Sunday of Lent
8am Holy Communion (BCP) Ampney St Peter now at Ampney Crucis!
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 23rd March Third Sunday of Lent
8am Holy Communion (BCP) Harnhill
10am Parish Communion Poulton
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Sunday 30th March Mothering Sunday
10am Family Service for
Mothering Sunday Ampney St Peter now at Ampney Crucis!
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A jolly family-friendly service for all -
– bring your Mother, God-mother, Grand-mother!
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Sunday 6th April Fifth Sunday of Lent
8am Holy Communion (BCP) Ampney Crucis
10am Parish Communion Down Ampney
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
6pm Evensong Ampney St Mary
Sunday 13th April Palm Sunday
8am Holy Communion (BCP) Poulton
10am Parish Communion Driffield
10am Word and Worship Harnhill
Wednesday 16th April Wednesday in Holy Week
8.30pm Compline Harnhill
Thursday 7th April Maundy Thursday
6pm Holy Communion and Ampney St Peter
Stripping of the Altar
Friday 18th April GOOD FRIDAY
10am At the Foot of the Cross Down Ampney
2pm The Last Hour Ampney Crucis
Sunday 20th April EASTER DAY
10am Easter Communion Poulton
The Rector’s final service
in our parishes
Sunday 27th April Second Sunday of Easter
10am Parish Communion Ampney Crucis
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19th – 21st April BibLit – The Bibury Literature Festival
St Mary’s Church, Bibury, GL7 5NR
Hear and meet authors talk about their books –
Andrew Gimson, Caroline Montague, Sally Page,
Robert Hardman and more….
Contact
Please do get in touch with the Rector - John Swanton - for more information.
01285 851309