St Mary's Beeston

St Mary's Christmas Fair

2010-12-04T12:12:00.001Z

Santa and his Choc Sleigh

Frosty with his owner

Facepainting

Despite the snow overnight which most people though would prevent people from venturing out of the house, we had a great Christmas Fair. There were the usual stalls, Luxury Hamper Raffle, Christmas Boutique, Chocolate Tombola, Chocolate Fountain, books and bric-a-brac, crafts etc. All this plus the Fair - Fayre (cafe really). We were entertained by Phillip on the Piano, plus some of the junior students came from the Keyboards class at the local Music school and played a few Christmas tunes for us. The official opening was at 11am, but as always, visitors were arriving at 10.30 even before some of the tables were set up and it all ended at about 3pm. Publicity is the key to all successful events and we did have a banner up (and down a few times due to wind) for a couple of weeks, plus we borrowed an 8ft Inflatable Snowman which was placed outside to attract the attention of the passing public.

Now its over, we had better start planning the Spring Fair!!!!! Leave it until after Christmas eh?

Have a Happy Christmas from all those

at St Mary's and St David's

Christmas Fair

2010-11-19T17:07:00.000Z

Well plans are well under way for the Christmas Fair next week on sat 27th, this year it is being organised by the Social Club with a format used at the Strawberry fair last July. Watch out for the report on this blog.

Another Win for St Marys

2010-11-19T17:04:00.000Z

Yet again the gardeners have done a great job in St Mary's Garden, they have taken Gold in the Beeston in Bloom Competition. In the photo is Brian and Joy Astall, Rev Jude Smith with deputy Lord Mayor Patrick Davey.

All for good causes- give them credit for a job well done

2010-02-07T22:20:00.000Z

The £50 challenge is a competition between the Year 7 Forms at Abbey Grange CofE High School, where within each form, small groups of pupils are asked to raise as much money for charity as possible. The good causes this yaer are very much at the fronts of our minds, Martin House at Boston Spa and the Haiti Earthquake Appeal. In attempt to make a difference, 3 pupils came up with the idea of a Fashion Show.......and all thishaving to be organised with 2 weeks......

The key was to persuade and enlist other indiiduals and groups into the project,so, St Marys Charity Shop was asked to proide the clothes and models, Beeston Parish Centre & Social Club provided the venue and facilities.

However, with any type of this event, there is no telling in advance as to how many will attend, although publicity plays a key part in this, so, the local parish magazine, posters and leaflets around the organisers own parishes, emails to friends and families etc, so was this enough?

So on the night how did they do? It was a great success, the total after expenses raised was £140 to go towards the Haiti and Martin House, plus the Charity Shop itself did a roaring trade after the show.

The 3 girls (all aged 11yrs old) who organised the event did really well, in addition to organising, they also did some of the announcing in front to the audience, opening the event, introducing the accompianist and compare, drawing the raffle organising a Fashion Quiz and closing the event, all tasks that can be quite daunting.

There as lots of praise for the girls, " A credit to their school" was heard and the compliment was well deserved and of course the good causes need all the help they can get.

The Charity Shop at St Mary's opens on Wed's and Thur's each week and all its funds to towards the upkeep of the church. Another show, organised by the Charity Shop itself this time is planned for the Autumn.

Nativity 2009- The Christmas Three

2009-12-20T22:28:00.001Z

The afternoon of Sun the 20th, the children of St Mary's performed a Nativity Play. It was the traditional Chiristmas Story through the eyes of a Donkey, A Sheep and a Camel all known as the Christmas Three and was a mix of narration, acting and songs. Lots of prep work and a little stress on the day, but in the end it was GREAT. Big thanks to all those who helped organise and all the children who took part and all those how took part recieved a small present as a way of saying thankyou.
If you would like to hear an excerpt from the play, click on to the link below (this is an audio blog system called AUDIOBOO). Once at the audioboo site, press the triangle play button.....

http://audioboo.fm/boos/85609-st-mary-s-beeston-nativity

Christmas Fair or Fayre?

2009-11-28T19:24:00.000Z

Today was the Parish Christmas Fair at St Mary's which not only raises funds but also provides a place for people in the community to meet, renew some old friendships, pick up a bit of bric-a-brac or have a win on one of the competitions. As usual the ladies in the kitchen worked hard to keep everyone fed and watered. This year St.Nicholas made a surprise appearance and gave presents to all those who visited his superbly decorated Grotto. So big thanks to all those who were involved.
The photo shows St Nicholas with a visitor, but watch this space, more photos to come......

Remembrance Sunday

2009-11-14T19:37:00.000Z

Remembrance Sunday at the 6pm Service took a different approach to remembering and understanding conflict. After the Eucharist, we were treated to a film about the conflict between the Palestinians and Israeli people and the work that the Bereaved Families Forum are doing, with joint dialogs, joint meetings and actions for peace. The forum is made up from members of both sides who have all lost loved ones in the conflict. Take a look at the web site at the link below to find out more about what this group of people are doing.

www.mideastweb.org/bereaved_families_forum.htm

What a Great Night

2009-10-17T23:47:00.000+01:00

On Sat the 17th Oct, the Social Club organised a concert by a group of people known as OVATION. This was to provide an evening of entertainment for both members and the people of Beeston plus it was also raising funds for the Church. ...... and what a great night it was! We were treated to songs from a variety of shows, including a solo by one of the group's daughter who was 10 years old who sang Castle on a Cloud from Les Miserables. The evening culminated in a super medley of songs from the Abba's Mama Mia. Thanks must go to the Social Club Committee who worked hard to stage this event, including the suberb buffet supper. Watch out for the next club event, 'James Frank and Friend's present a Musical Evening on Sat 31st Oct. To view the picture album click the link below:
http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/steveg4rch/Ovation?authkey=Gv1sRgCOiYzeeDr7nE-QE&feat=directlink

Moving into the 21st Century

2009-08-26T23:02:00.000+01:00

Like all other organisations the Church in general has taken advantage of technology as it has been developed, St Mary's is no different. We have had a web site for over 3 years now and which is being constantly updated and improved. As more and more people are getting on-line through the Broadband Revolution it makes sense to embrace this technology where possible to promote the work of the Church and the various associated activities and organisations.

One such advance is now being used here at St Mary's, the 6pm Eucharist Service on a Sunday has migrated from using 'paper' ie, service books, hymn books etc to a paperless alternative (helping to save the planet) by the use of a computer and projector. This brings an interactive element to the Service and very much suits the alternative style of worship at the 6pm. Why not come along one Sunday Evening to share in the experience.

Some events in September

2009-08-26T22:35:00.000+01:00

Come along to hear about the work of Charles de Foucault and the Little Brothers of Jesus in the Church on Thurs 10th September starting at 7.30pm. www.jesuscaritas.191.it/charles_e.htm

St Mary's Patronal Festival is taking place on Sun 13th Sept, where we celebrate Mary at both the 9.30am and the 6pm Services, with a social gathering with Faith Supper at 7.30pm in the Parish Hall, all welcome.

First Post

2009-08-26T20:06:00.000+01:00

Welcome to the first posting of this blog, it is hopefully intented to keep you informed about what is happening in Beeston and allow readers to comment and feed back.