Henry the Hoover did not return to St Martin‘s so he must be with the other run-aways who have disappeared from churches in North Oxfordshire recently. On a bright note a generous couple in the village have donated £100 to buy a new vacuum cleaner which is now in use.

There were well attended services and events during Advent and Christmas. In particular it was good to welcome Bishop Colin to Shutford on Advent Sunday for a renewal of baptismal and confirmation vows. There were 48 people in church from across the benefice who heard him speak about St Andrew. A special collection for the Bishop of Oxford‘s Outreach Fund raised £191.

We had 20 people at Messy Church in Shutford Village Hall on 13th December and about 50 villagers joined in carol singing around the village on 17th December. Shutford Community Association organised for a brass band and Daisy and her splendid horses Henry and Murphy to lead the singers, and also provided refreshments in church at the end of the evening.

A Christingle was held on 21st December with refreshments in church afterwards followed by the Christmas Draw. £100 was given to The Children’s Society from a retiring collection. The Christmas Day communion service attracted the highest congregation of the year of 57. The church was beautifully decorated for Christmas and we are grateful to everyone who donates and arranges the flowers throughout the year.

Thanks to the generosity of villagers and PCC members, £704 was raised from our Christmas Draw and has been used towards the church annual insurance premiums. Ken’s sterling work here deserves a huge pat on the back.

2015 will be challenging for us all and we hope that many will join us for worship and our social get-togethers, and use the church, which is open daily, for some quiet time. People of all denominations or none are always welcome.