PCC News

FROM THE TAKELEY CHURCHWARDEN Having been away for a short holiday I have missed some of the happenings in the parish over the last few weeks. However, I am pleased that I was here for Easter and all the Easter services. We must thank the Martin Scott and the choir for their contribution to the music in these services and all those who decorated and cleaned the church in readiness for Easter Day. It is always wonderful to come into the church on Easter Sunday to be greeted by the display of flowers, acknowledging the joy of the Resurrection after the solemnity of Good Friday. Thank you also to our clergy for all their hard work over the Easter Festival. The Joint Service with Little Canfield followed a form of service from the Iona Community. The seating for this ‘in the round’ and we did not go up to the altar rail to take communion but passed the bread and wine one to another. Julia Mascetti played the harp beautifully during communion and after communion had been taken the choir sang the Gaelic Blessing. A quite different service for us but one which was appreciated by the congregation. I was away for the Church Annual General Meeting so am unable to report on it in any detail but have been told that I was re-elected as Churchwarden. Brian has again offered his help, for which I am very grateful. We hope to bring in others to help and find out what being a churchwarden entails. The next Newsletter for the Full Measure Project will be going out soon. We will be holding a special service on 18th May both to mark the Full Measure Project and to celebrate Trinity Sunday, our Patronal Festival. After the service there will be a barbecue in the Churchyard - this will be an informal affair and will be open to all. We hope that lots of people from the village will come and join us. The G2 Planning Application for the construction of a second runway at Stansted Airport, which has been submitted recently to Uttlesford District Council by BAA, is a matter of the utmost importance to this church and village. The proposals have already had a marked effect on our community and as the church is only a short distance from the end of the proposed runway and directly in line with it, it would obviously have serious and adverse consequences for us. We will be putting in a response to the application (by 26.06.08) and would be grateful for any comments you might have. Tricia Barber Churchwarden Dates for your diary Dates for you diary Wednesday 30th April Coffee Morning at Woodside, Smith’s Green (Tricia Barber’s) 10.30 am Wednesday 14th May Annual Village Assembly –Takeley Silver Jubilee Hall 7.30 pm Sunday 18th May Trinity Sunday – Service 10.30 am followed by a barbecue in the churchyard Wednesday 28th May Coffee Morning at 2 Heywood Lane, Great Dunmow (Lyn FitzGibbon’s). If you would like to come and need a lift please contact me (Tricia Barber 870259). PARISH GARDEN WASTE This service for garden waste will be available from April to November 2008 on Saturdays at Takeley Sports Field from 3.00 to 4.00 pm. THE FRIENDS OF HOLY TRINITY CHURCH, TAKELEY The Friends of Holy Trinity Church, Takeley has now been established, with the intention of allowing the wider community to support the maintenance of the church building a grade 1 listed building, dating from the 12th century, which is a major asset in the village. You can help the church by: a) Making one off donations. Cheques made payable to The Friends of Holy Trinity Church, Takeley. b) A regular standing order. c) Signing a Gift Aid form if you are a tax payer. The church is able to increase your donation by reclaiming tax paid on the amount given. d) Making a new will and including a bequest to The Friends of Holy Trinity Church, Takeley. For enquiries, or to make donations, please contact the Honorary Treasurer, Mrs Helen Gaby, 31 Longcroft, Takeley telephone 01279 871784. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Gift Aid Declaration: I, (forename) (surname) Address Would like the Parochial Church Council of Holy Trinity Church, Takeley to treat all donations I make as Gift Aid donations. Signed Date

Date of next PCC meeting - Monday 31st March 2008 at 8.00pm at the Rectory.