Our Harvest Festival Evensong was an uplifting service. We welcomed Rev’d Charles Roberts who took the service, together with the Choir of the United Parish of East and West Harptree with Hinton Blewett, who sang for us. After the difficulties of the last 18 months, it was a fitting celebration of the abundance and beauty of the harvest, which so often we take for granted in this country. The collection was for our two local Food Banks in Keynsham and Withywood. It amounted to £255 in total, so it was divided equally between them. Thank you to all those who contributed generously to such a needy cause. The church was beautifully decorated with a glorious array of flowers and foliage. Thank you to all those who gave their time and skills to achieving such a wonderful display.

Our Evensong for All Souls, when we remember those we have loved who have died, is on Sunday 7th November at 6:30 pm. As this is a popular service, please will you book with me if you would like to come. My details are on the website, stoweychurch.com or at the back of the village magazine. If you would like to remember any person by name, please would you let me have their name well before the day, so it can be included in the list to be read out. This is always a moving and lovely service, so we look forward to welcoming those of you who wish to come.

On Saturday 13^th November from 9am, it’s the annual Churchyard clear-up. Please bring gardening tools and come along to help. Coffee and cake available ….but only after you’ve done some productive work!!

Advent Sunday is on 28th November, when we would normally have an Evensong. This year, we are invited to go to the special Advent Carol Service at 6:30 pm that day at St. Mary, West Harptree. Accordingly, our own service that evening will be cancelled. We often welcome the Choir to join us at Stowey; Advent Sunday will be an opportunity for us to pay a return visit! Please come if you can.

Turning to Christmas, we hope to have a Carol Service on Friday 17th December at 6:30 pm, followed by a Party at Stowey Mead, by kind invitation of Victor Pritchard. Clearly numbers will be limited for the Carol Service and Party, so again I will be taking bookings for this service. More details next time!