Revd Jason St John Nicolle

Congratulations to Revd Jason St John Nicolle on his appointment to the ministerial team in the Churn Benefice. The benefice, located close to Didcot, includes a number of churches in the villages of Aston, Blewbury, Hagbourne, North & South Moreton and Upton.

Fr Jason has been serving his curacy in the Kidlington Team since 2004 and has officiated as Chaplain of St Birinus Chapter since November 2005. He leaves Kidlington at the end of February and takes up his new position in April.

On behalf of all our members and supporters we wish Jason and his wife Miranda all the very best for their continuing ministry.

Jack Webster

We are sorry to report the death of Bro Jack Webster who passed away on 8th January aged 91. Bro Jack was a faithful member of St Barnabas Church and of this chapter for many years and frequently served at the altar in the capacity of MC or thurifer at Guild meetings. Jack joined the GSS in 1973 and served on the chapter committee for many years as the publicity secretary. He worked at the Bodleian Library from 1935 until his retirement in 1985; his wife Phylis predeceased him in November 2006.

Jack's funeral mass was held at St Barnabas' Church, Oxford on Thursday, 24th January.

Please remember him and his family in your prayers. + May he rest in peace and rise in glory.

Group Councillor Elected

Bro Clive Tilling has been re-elected to represent Provincial Group 9 on the General Council for the next three years. We congratulate him on his appointment and look forward to continuing to work with him for the benefit of the GSS. Cllr Tilling is based in Reading and attends the Reading Chapter. Additionally, he regularly visits his other chapters in the group.

Group 9 covers a large geographical area. St Birinus is the only chapter in Oxfordshire, but there are other chapters in Berkshire and Buckinghamshire. Additionally the chapter of Our Lady & St Swithun covers Guildford, Woking, Aldershot, Farnham and Farnborough.

Chapters of Provincial Group 9
St Frideswide - Slough
St Hugh & All Saints - High Wycombe
St Lawrence the Deacon - Reading
St Osyth - Mid & North Bucks
Our Lady & St Swithun - Guildford, Surrey
St Richard - Alton, Hants (in abeyance)
St Birinus - Oxford

Please remember the work of our neighbouring chapters in your prayers.

A Prayer for the New Year

God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
whose years never fail
and whose mercies are new each returning day:
let the radiance of your Spirit renew our lives,
warming our hearts and giving light to our minds;
that we may pass the coming year
in joyful obendience and firm faith.