Meet our new Vicar-to-be – Fergus

Hello! My name is the Reverend Fergus Butler Gallie and I’m the new vicar of Charlbury with Shorthampton. I’m delighted to be joining such a wonderful community of faithful people seeking to do good in their community. If you’re not a church goer please don’t stop reading there! My role is to speak of the good news of Christ with all but whether you come to church regularly or not, the vicar, and the church are for everyone. 

A little about me: I’m thirty-one years old and grew up all over the country but with a family home by the Romney Marsh in Kent. 

After university education at Oxford and Cambridge, I’ve served in churches in Liverpool and Central London as well as in chaplaincy at a school in Kent. My interests include writing- I am the author of three books- humour, eating, drinking, socialising, sport- I’ve spent the last term coaching cricket- and, above all else, people. Madeline and I are looking forward to building a life together in such a special part of the world. Most importantly though, the thing I’m most looking forward to in coming to Charlbury is meeting you, the people. 

With that in mind, I’ll be arriving in the new year and I’m looking forward to meeting you in person. You’ll see me before, as I’ll be taking some services over Christmas- to which all of you are most welcome. I hope to see you in the shops, in the pubs, at the sports clubs and, above all, in church. Please do say hello when you do see me out and about and please remember that St Mary’s and All Saints are churches for everybody in Charlbury. In the meantime you will be in my prayers: please do pray for me and Madeline as I prepare to take up the job.

Reverend Fergus Butler Gallie

[First published in The Leaflet earlier this year.]

New Kitchen and facilities dedicated by Bishop of Dorchester

The new kitchen and disabled toilet with baby changing facilities was dedicated and blessed by the Bishop of Dorchester, The Right Reverend Gavin Collins, on Sunday 10th December 2023. Bishop Gavin presided and preached at the service and thanked all involved in the hard work to bring this project to fruition, including former Vicar the Revd Canon Sally Welch and all who have raised funds to cover costs. Church Warden Dine Glasgow offered thanks on behalf of everyone to fellow Church Warden Paddy Gallagher who oversaw the project on a daily basis, and to Parish Administrator Jo Paton, whose expertise and hard work was such a key factor.

An audio recording of the service is available here, including Bishop Gavin’s dedication of the facilities and sermon, and Dine’s words of thanks. Thanks to Maureen Sparling for the photo.

St Mary’s 5th Christmas Tree Festival

Friday 8th December until 28th December.

The children’s trees are inside the church and the adult’s trees outside on the churchyard path.

If you would like to help, donate funds towards our costs, or have any queries about the festival, please get in touch with Hilli Waller or the Parish Office. charlburyctf@gmail.com

Thursday 28th December   – All decorations to be taken away by today

Friday 29th – tree removal

Christmas Cracker of a Quiz

Mark your calendars for what promises to be a festive evening to remember: the Christmas Tree Festival Quiz!

Saturday 9th December – 7.00pm for a 7.30pm start at St. Mary’s Church.

Rumour has it that our resident Quizmaster Elf, Patrick Derham will be wearing his best North Pole attire.  If true, that sight alone would be worth the price of admission.

Speaking of which, Tickets will £12.00 per head and Teams will be made up of 6 people.  Festive snacks will be served and Beer and wine will be available to purchase.

Please contact Dine Glasgow dglasgow@theridgegroup.com for tickets or details.

Ignite service – December 10th at 6pm

A friendly and informal monthly service in Charlbury
Vibrant, contemporary songs of worship and thanks to God in a relaxed and informal style, with space to reflect and meet with God.

Absolutely everyone is welcome, so come along out of curiosity, to sing, to find a little bit more about God, or just to be in God’s presence with us.

Refreshments from 5.45pm