The Annual Church Meeting was held on 19th March when the existing churchwardens and parochial church councillors were re-elected. The annual report and accounts show a good financial situation with regular donations covering the cost of ministry with church attendance stable. Copies of the reports are in the church or can be viewed on Shutford Village website. The church is supported by a small number of loyal worshippers and others from the wider community are involved with social and fund-raising events and value the presence of St Martin`s in the village. With fewer people coming to organised worship, especially younger family groups, outreach is more important than ever.

A successful Messy Church event was held in Shutford Village Hall on 23rd March. As usual there were lots of crafts to do, flowers to plant and make and refreshments.

Christian Aid Week this year is 12th – 18th May: the focus will be on childbirth in Sierra Leone as an example on what donations raised could help fund. Christian Aid has had more than 70 years’ experience of working in partnership to support communities worldwide. They tackle root causes of poverty so that people the world over are strengthened against future knocks. When disasters happen help is despatched straight away. The Christian Aid distinctive red envelope will be delivered door to door in the village and collected during the week. If you miss the collectors donations can be taken to church, to 9 The Dairyground or to the Beetle Drive at 4.00pm in Shutford Village Hall on 18th May.

The community lunch on 6th June in the village hall will be hosted by church members. That evening John and Ken, the churchwardens, will be enrolled at a service in St Mary's Banbury at 7.30pm.