Geoffrey Gilbert Pinnock

The chapter records with sadness the passing of Fr Geoffrey Pinnock, aged 90, who died quietly at home after a short illness in the early hours of Sunday September 24th. Fr Geoffrey had been a priest associate of St Birinus Chapter since March 1982. Since his retirement from parish ministry he and his wife, Jill, worshipped at the church of St John the Evangelist, Iffley Road - the college church of St Stephen's House Theological College - where his funeral Mass will be celebrated on Thursday October 5th at 1pm. Our thoughts and prayers are with Jill, Fr Giles & Clare at this sad time. May Geoffrey and all the faithful departed rest in peace and rise in glory.

4th September - St Barnabas, Oxford

The chapter celebrated its feast of title with Guild Office & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament at St Barnabas’ Church, Oxford. Our Chaplain, Revd Jason St John Nicolle, officiated and Revd Dennis Mason gave the address, taking as his theme Birinus’ mission to the West Saxons. We were pleased to hear that Fr Dennis and Mrs Mason are experiencing better health of late. Our thanks to Prof David Murray who played the organ for us.

Present: Fr Jason, Fr Dennis, Bros Trevor Langrish, Sid Cox, Bruce Armour, Ben Heffer, Frank Howlett, Don Young and Cllr Clive Tilling; Reg, Verona Harris, Mrs Armour and Naomi Heffer.

Apologies: Sr Susan Greenaway, Bro Stan Goodwin.

Young Servers

13 young people between the ages of nine and 15 camped out in St Mary's Refectory, Kidlington on Saturday night. Run by the chapter, the aim of the event was to encourage young altar servers in their ministry. The evening started with a simplified form of Vespers with four robed servers. The children choose some of their favourite worship songs and wrote the prayers. After supper, the young people were challenged to explore the church and name the various items used in divine worship. Other activities followed including a very successful drama games session run by Sebastian Heffer. Prior to lights out, we watched a DVD of The Lion, the With and the Wardrobe.

Thanks are due to Mrs Lesley Heffer, Mr Trevor Langrish, Revd Jason StJohn Nicolle and Sebastion Heffer for helping to run this event.