The first meeting of the group to begin preparations for the stall at the Autumn Fayre will be held at 10:00 am on Friday 14 July at 8 Peterborough Avenue. We will be sharing patterns, ideas, wool and fabric, contributions of which would be gratefully received. More details from Sally Corton (01572 722272).

The annual Spring Clean will be on Saturday 24 June, in two sessions from 10am-12 noon, and 2-4pm. Our dedicated team of volunteer church cleaners look after the church and keep it looking lovely during the year, but the Spring Clean gives us a chance to reach the places which need a bit more attention and/or effort. Please come along for either…

There is to be a Bring and Share Supper at the Vicarage on Friday 30 June at 7.30pm to discuss the progression of our Sunday School. The present leaders of the older groups would like to stand down but we do not have anyone to take their places. We are not asking you to lead but we may ask you to do…

The meeting of the PCC on 22 May was open to all members of the church for a presentation on stewardship from Paul Adams (Diocesan Stewardship Adviser), who talked about the four key tasks of an effective Stewardship Scheme – teaching, annual renewal, link with mission and thanking givers, and this was followed by a useful discussion. Other matters included annual spring…

Parishioners will want to congratulate Revd James McDonald on his appointment as Associate Minister in the York City Centre Churches with special responsibility for St Lawrence York. James grew up in the parish of Oakham and pursued his vocation here before being ordained in 2014 and has served his curacy in Brackley within our Diocese. James will be presiding and preaching at…

A huge thank you from Dominic, Frances and James Coad for the many lovely cards and gifts we have received since James’s birth was announced. We felt a wonderful wave of affection from the Oakham Team up here in the Newcastle and it was very much appreciated. Thank you very much.

At the Open Meeting of the PCC on Monday 22 May, we had a very stimulating presentation from Paul Adams (Diocesan Stewardship Adviser). If you missed it, a summary will be available here on the website shortly.

As you know, over the past month we have asked a number of specialist firms to tender for the new boiler system and its associated works. Only three of the firms submitted tenders, and they were all very much higher than we were expecting – in the region of £180,000 excluding VAT. Although we knew there would be some extra costs caused…

Anne Venning produces the rota for Readers & Intercessors at Oakham, and this is distributed regularly to all those involved – however, there have been some occasions when those on the rota have not fulfilled their duty. We are looking at how we can improve the communication of the rota, but meanwhile, if you are on the rota and know that you…

The Foodbank is currently short of the following items – packets of Smash, 500g sugar, small coffee jars, jam, dog and cat food, rice, rice pudding, custard. We have plenty of porridge oats, cereals, baked beans, sweetcorn, biscuits, pasta & tea at the moment. The food bank operates entirely with volunteers – if you feel you could spare a few hours a…

If any one else would like to take part in this worthwhile scheme please do get in touch. It just involves the recycling of jewellery and so far has raised over £30,000. April’s sales from the both the regular stall, the last Lent Lunch and Easter eggs amounted to £279.39 – thank you to everyone who contributed to this figure. Denise (01572…

Churches Together in Oakham are holding a General Election Meeting at Oakham Parish Church on Tuesday 23rd May at 7.30pm. The candidates have all been invited and questions can be submitted by email to election@oakham.church. Please plan to attend as this will be one of very few public meetings in this election campaign. In a pastoral letter to the parishes and chaplaincies…

Both Iain (Osborne) and Charlotte (Osborn) are looking forward very much to joining the Oakham Team in June, and as they try to meet all the necessary deadlines, take exams and move house (in Iain’s case) as well as prepare their hearts and souls for ordination, they would appreciate your prayers. There will be a limited number of the attached ember cards…

Thank you to everyone who contributed in any way to last Sunday week’s service at Whissendine – it was a lovely farewell, which I shall long remember. Special thanks for my gifts of the bench and willow arch, which will find a good home in my new garden, and the cheque, earmarked for a holiday to Norway and the Northern lights in…

Following the retirement of Revd Janet Tebby, the northern villages will have a revised service pattern with immediate effect. At Whissendine, the 8:00am BCP Communion on the second Sunday will no longer take place, but there will be a service every week at 11:00am – Holy Communion (CW) on the first & third Sundays & Family Service on the second Sunday continue as…

We have had a request from a prospective purchaser of Ashwell House, which is adjacent to St Mary’s Church. The property has an extension which they would like to redevelop more in keeping with the rest of the building, and are trying to locate old photographs of the property or find anyone who may remember what was originally at the rear of…

There is no usual monthly meeting on Thursday 11 May. Instead, on Tuesday 16 May is the MU Deanery Festival at Uppingham Church commencing at 10:00am with a service in Church, followed by a lunch (pay for this on the day – £5). Please contact Pamela Woods asap to confirm numbers and also transport requirements (01572 755371). On Thursday 29 June there…

The Foodbank is currently short of the following items – long-life fruit juice, packets of Smash, sponge puddings, long-life milk, washing-up liquid, toilet rolls, tinned spaghetti, tinned carrots, tinned peas, small coffee jars, dog food. We have plenty of porridge oats, cereals and baked beans at the moment. The food bank operates entirely with volunteers – if you feel you could spare…

Following the retirement of Revd Janet Tebby on 30 April, we are now advertising for a new Team Vicar to look after the northern parishes. Details are available here.

Please note that there will NOT be services of Holy Communion at Oakham on Tuesday, Thursday or Friday this week (18th, 20th, 21st April), but the Wednesday service at the Chapel of St John & St Anne will take place as usual.

The Annual Parochial Church Meeting takes place today, 9 April, at 11:00am, after the 10:00am service. The Annual Reports booklet can be downloaded here.

Many thanks to everyone who has bought one of the three types of egg this year, which has helped contribute to the total sales for March being a massive £556.90 – a huge amount for this time of the year. The stall is in Church today for the combined service and will be at the 10:30 service on 23 April. Denise.