The PCC met on 17th September when the treasurer reported a continuing shortfall between income and expenses which stood at £1487 in mid September. Some of this will be clawed back through fund raising and normal income but with the need of an income of about £250 per week we are struggling this year. As we get no financial help from central government we are reliant on regular donors and fund raisers to cover expenses. Thankfully £1200 from the Summer Fete partially covers our church building insurance and the Parish Council continues to cover the cost of grass cutting in the cemetery.

The Harvest Supper on 30th September raised £487 which will be shared between the church and Katharine House Hospice. As usual lots of fruit and vegetables were donated to decorate the church for the Harvest Festival and then sold at the supper. Other money came from a raffle and donations towards the supper food.

A small working party met on 2nd November to help clear years of ivy and brambles from gravestones. There is some work to be done reducing the length of the grass which will help more wild flowers flourish next year. Grateful thanks to Sue for providing refreshments.

We had a good congregation for our annual Remembrance Service on 10th November. Deddington Brass played for the hymns and also before and after the service. A donation from the collection will be made to the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal.

To raise funds for the church, we will be organising a Christmas Draw with the first prize a Christmas Hamper. Tickets will be £1 each and will be sold door to door and also in church at the Craft Fayre on 1st December. The draw will take place in church on the evening of 18th December during the annual carol singing. The PCC will be providing seasonal refreshments in church.

Our Christingle service will be at 3.00pm on Sunday, 22nd December. As usual the retiring collection will be given to the Children's Society. Refreshments will be available in church after the service.

Village Carol Singing is on Wednesday December 18th and will include a visit to the church for refreshments.

We look forward to welcoming friends from across the Benefice to join with us to celebrate the feast of the Epiphany on January 5th.

On behalf of the Rector and the PCC I wish everyone a peaceful Christmas and a happy and healthy 2014: see you in church soon!