People recognised for their long service to the Church

Tudor Griffiths

Rector and Area Dean of Cheltenham

I (Les Reilly) became Lay Chair in 2007 and Jenny joined the Deanery team as Parish Share officer soon after  She later took on the additional role of Deanery Treasurer. She held both roles until 2016 when she stood down  in order to look after her husband who had become almost totally blind.

St Catharines Gloucester – After leaving the church at Quedgeley Jenny finally settled at St Catharines and was soon approached to take on the role as Treasurer and is still carrying out that role.

Jenny has been a very loyal and supportive asset in Gloucester Deanery at both Deanery and parish level carrying out her duties in an exemplary way whilst at the same time offering support to her Deanery colleagues and to treasurers of parishes. In the 9 years that I have been Lay Chair I cannot recall a time when she has not been fully involved – her retirement from Deanery roles has left a big gap.

Les Reilly

Ruth has been a member of the PCC since the 1970’s and churchwarden at Preston Church since 1976. Ruth has been a representative on the Deanery synod for thirty years. Forest North originally and latterly Severn vale Deanery.

After the arrival of Rev. Reg. Legg in 1980 each of the four parishes were asked to nominate prayerfully a person who in their eyes represented God and the church in the community. These people formed the first of the Lay Pastors in the Dymock Parishes. Ruth Blandford was part of the original group. After several months/years of training by Rev. Reg. Legg the lay pastors are recognised by the Bishop of Gloucester. They were authorised to help administer the sacrament to lead morning and evening prayers. The Dymock Lay Pastors were one of the first ministry groups in the Gloucester Diocese and the C of E faith in the countryside report of the Archbishop’s commission on Rural Areas 1990. Lay Pastors were expected to visit the sick and welcome newcomers to the Parish.

Ruth is renowned for her excellent cooking, producing several cakes for each and every event. Ruth continues to be a good visitor often taking a cake with her!  Ruth has been the mainstay of Preston Church since the early 80’s and a magnificent example of the caring community of the Church.

Rosemary has played the organ at St Barnabas for fifty years.  She plays for Sunday services as well as the majority of funerals and weddings.  She leads a monthly hymn practice for the Hymn Singer’s Group who sing during every communion administration. Her love of church music is infectious and inspiring, and I have been enriched musically and spiritually by our monthly meetings to choose hymns for each Sunday. Over the years she has shown support where modern songs have replaced the older hymns. Rosemary is also a PCC member, she organises the flower rota, the charity giving and she is on the ‘Worship, Prayer and Planning’ Committee.  Her heart for worship, mission, liturgy and theology shines through all her ministry.

I would like to nominate George Marchant for his very faithful service to St Paul and St Stephen’s but also the Cathedral. George maintains the grounds around the church meticulously and has done for many years now. He also leads a weekly house group and is seen as a man of wisdom amongst us. He is also a guide at the Cathedral and has a passion for imparting the Gospel to those of every age. His service to the church has been life-long but I would want to recognise his particular gifts in the upkeep of the grounds of the church and his educational contribution to people of all ages.

Bob has also been a significant figure in hundreds of weddings and funerals both here and most other Churches on the Wye Side of the Forest, always willing to support the on-going pastoral ministry of the Church.

However, this in itself tells little of the story of a man with a deep pastoral concern and great insight into the Forest Community. He is always willing to offer advice and support and almost weekly, draws attention and seeks prayer for the many people he visits regularly, always offering practical and spiritual support.

Often found helping the Flower team, or supporting the many Charity events we hold; Bob also offers himself to support the worship of neighbouring Parishes.

Bob is a selfless Christian Man who never seeks the limelight but has, for the past 65 years, offered faithful and committed Christian service and care.

Peter has also served his community tirelessly over many years, not least as a teacher, but also many years of running local scouting groups.

June has been very active in the parish generally, regularly leading midday prayers and as a pastoral visitor who regularly takes home communion to three people.  June also runs fund-raising coffee mornings and generally keeps St. Lawrence’s church in order!

When I asked someone to list the things that she has done in the church the list became very long. Here are some examples: Organist and music leader, Choir member, Sunday School Teacher, PCC Member, Mothers Union member, Organiser of many things including Church camps, Local walks for children and young people to gather flowers for easter services, Taking children out on walks on Sunday afternoons, Cleaning, Flowers, Brasses, Registers, CCLI Music reports, Communion Supplies, Running the Under 5s group, Running the Lunch Club, Missionary Prayer Group.

The things that she continues to do today she does with such a joyful and loving spirit. I always know if she has arrived as I can hear her singing. She and her late husband decided long ago never to stand in the way of modernising ideas in the church, so she is always there, always available, always servant-hearted.

She has very little understanding of how all of this fits into ‘The Diocese’ but this corner of the Diocese would be much poorer without her.

Under her leadership, the Network has grown and flourished.  As well as running a regular programme of Study Days and Quiet Days, it has taught on how to lead Quiet Days, how to run Weeks of Accompanied Prayer and it has supported the course for Spiritual Directors which Pauline initiated and taught on for many years.  Pauline also initiated and supported the work of Retreats at Glenfall House, and in other houses in Gloucestershire.  She is a much-valued Spiritual Director. Over many years, the diocese and the county have benefited from her leadership, inspiration and creativity; from her hard work, and her example of unwavering devotion to our Lord Jesus Christ.

Rona joined the Flower Guild in 1964 and has attended at least two mornings a week since then. Buying or collecting flowers on Wednesdays, cutting foliage on Thursdays and creating floral arrangements on Fridays along with placements for wedding, funerals and memory flowers on other days.

Rona and Bob jointly cultivated plants for the Flower Guild which were grown on their allotment or in the Abbey walled garden which they helped maintain until Bob’s death in 2014. Endless trays of seeds are prepared each year to start germinating with cuttings thriving, in their warm home or greenhouse. to produce plants to sell – Rona, subsequent to Bob’s death, still continues to do this.

She has been Treasurer of the Flower Guild for many years, only stepping down at the recent 2017 AGM so she can mentor a new Treasurer taking over the responsibility.  She felt that at 90 years of age it was about time she handed over the reins!

Her walk, in all weathers, to purchase the blooms always involves negotiating a good price with the Tewkesbury Market traders in order to maximise funds for the Flower Guild.  Rona has always enjoyed giving her time and belonging to, and serving, a community she loves so much.  She is an active member of the Mothers’ Union and her faith is deeply held and gently communicated to all around her.

This is a good opportunity to recognise all those who express their faith by beautifying our churches with the bounty of creation and, through their skills so freely given, give glory of God.