Holocaust Memorial Day
Holocaust Memorial Day, on the theme of ’speak up, speak out’, took place with a service at the Parish Church on 27 January.  A collection of artwork was as on display for the week leading into the Memorial Day created by school children from Rendcomb together with poetry from Deer Park and Kingshill schools along with contributions from students at Cirencester college.

Christian Unity Service
The keynote speaker at this year’s Christian Unity service on 22 January was Loretta Minghella, director of Christian Aid.  Loretta spoke about her personal faith journey and how this led to her taking on her current role in 2010 together with the work she has personally witnessed in many areas of the world of Christian Aid helping to alleviate poverty and suffering.   The offering was dedicated to helping the victims of the recent typhoon in the Phillipines.

Christmas Day Lunch
Watermoor Church hall was full of activity on Christmas day as a Christmas meal was put on for those who would otherwise be on their own including the elderly, disabled, homeless and low income families.  The occasion proved popular with all age ranges being catered for and guests coming in from as far away as Tetbury and Withington.

BBC Radio Gloucestershire phoned in throughout the day for a live link to report on how the event was going.  Later in the afternoon a free raffle took place with everyone taking away a gift as a reminder of a happy time. 

Organisers from Churches Together in Cirencester and Disability Information and Services in the Cotswolds (DISC) were delighted with how smoothly proceedings went and look forward to doing it all over again next year.  Special thanks are given to the many people who freely gave their time to help out and the huge outpouring of generosity from everyone who donated financially as well as giving gifts.

Summer Songs of Praise in the Abbey Grounds
Glorious sunshine and rising temperatures were enjoyed by a crowd of around 300 people who attended the Summer Songs of Praise service around the bandstand in the Abbey Grounds on the afternoon of Sunday 26 June.  Matt Frost of the Baptist church hosted the event as favourite hymns were sung accompanied by the Salvation Army band and local soprano Linda Gerrard sang a solo performance of the Lord’s prayer.

Other highlights were a performance from the ‘open the book’ team from Powells school, an interview with street pastor Patrick Coleman explaining the role of pastors within the town together with local school children performing songs and a dance praise.  This is a new event in the church calendar and organisers were delighted with the day.

Easter Walk of Witness
Following a combined service at the Baptist Church led by Matt Frost on Good Friday, the annual walk of witness took place through the town centre ending up at the Market Place.  Hymns were sung accompanied by the Salvation Army band.  A short service and a drama sketch  in front of the Parish Church was then followed by the handing out of hot cross buns.