Reports

Our Family Service on February 28th was another of our 'Songs of Praise', when 52 people joined to sing six hymns chosen by members of the congregation. The six sponsors each introduced their hymn and explained why they'd chosen it. (Return to top)

As well as a Bible reading and prayers, Pat, our Rector, explained that you often have a reading from a poem at a wedding, so our second reading was from a humorous poem by Pam Ayres' which puts the groom in his place! (Return to top)

Callum Chose Hymn 1

Emma Chose Hymn 4

The hymns chosen were:
1. Morning Has Broken - Its a jolly tune and I like it.
2. One more Step Along the World I Go - It has associations from my Scouting days.
3. All My Hope On God Is Founded - I like the sentiment and met the composer of the music.
4. Colours of Day - I like the words (The Junior Choir sang the 2nd verse as a solo).
5. Love Divine, All Loves Excelling - We had it at our wedding
6. Thine Be The Glory - I remember it from Sunday School and we had it at my mother's funeral.

Lent Course

February 24th saw 18 people gathered in the Free Chapel in Western Way for the first of this year's 'Lent Course, based on St Paul's Letter to the Galatians, chapter 5, verse 22: The Fruits of the Spirit. For a full report, click here. (Return to top)

Alpha Course

Having had the introductory session last time, February saw the start of the course proper. February 4th was Session 1 and February 19th Session 2. (Return to top)

The main thrust of Session 1 looks at the evidence for who Jesus is.
Most people are famous for their life, but Jesus is famous for his death so Session 2 looks at why Jesus had to die. (Return to top)

To view the full Alpha Course Reports, click here. (Return to top)

Men's Breakfast

On February 6th, sixteen men gathered in the Beauchamp Arms pub for a Full English Breakfast followed by discussion on a topic of interest. Our intended guest, Rev'd Stephen Ware - a retired RAF Chaplain, was unable to attend so our guest for April gallantly stepped in - Dr Iain Jarvis. (Return to top)

Iain is a GP in Gloucester City, but he's also a member of a specialist team that supports GEAR (Gloucester Emergency Accommodation Resource) - Gloucester's project for the homeless. One morning a week, Iain leaves his surgery and provides GP services at GEAR for the homeless of Gloucester. If you're homeless, you haven't got a postcode, and without a postcode you can't register with a doctor! (Return to top)

Iain told us that he started when the project started 12 years ago. There's now 4 doctors who each do a morning session, plus 2 nurses who do a 20 hour week. One of the nurses is now qualified to prescribe drugs and the other will be shortly, which releases the doctors from 'routine' work (such as cuts and grazes) to attend to the more difficult needs such as those suffering from depression or addiction. (Return to top)

The centre also provides people to help with filling in forms, to assist with benefits advice etc, and 'advocates' to go with patients to hospital as many can't cope on their own with waiting rooms and consultant's questions. The work is largely funded by the NHS as they're obliged to make provision for the homeless. (Return to top)