A happy and blessed Easter to all our members

Joy to thee, O Queen of Heaven. Alleluia!
He whom Thou wast meet to bear. Alleluia!
As He promised hath arisen. Alleluia!
Pour for us to God thy prayer. Alleluia!

V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.
R. For the Lord is risen indeed, alleluia.

Let us pray,
O God, who through the mighty resurrection of Thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ

hast vouchedsafe to make glad the whole world:
grant, we beseech thee, that through the intercession of the Virgin Mary, his mother, we may obtain the joys of everlasting life.
Through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Holy Week 2010

Most merciful God,
who by the death and resurrection of your Son Jesus Christ
delivered and saved the world:
grant that by faith in him who suffered on the cross,
we may triumph in the power of his victory;
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Feast of the Annunciation

Lo, gentle Mary bows her head,
"Be it to me as you have said,"
and all of heav'n bends low to hear
those monumentous words so dear.

Four thousand years of slavery rent
by that young women's brave assent,
as by her answer meekly given
God opens up to us his heaven.

For Christ, contracted in her womb,
his body broken in the tomb,
then raised above to glorious height,
redeemed mankind with kingly might.

Because the humblest on God's earth,
who seemingly have little worth,
by their obedience and love
are greatest in the realms above,

God grant that we may follow here
our virgin mother's pattern clear,
her quiet acceptance of your grace,
that found for us in heav'n a place.

National Easter Festival & AGM

The National Easter Festival of the GSS and its annual general meeting will be held at St Alban's Church, Holborn on Saturday, 10th April.

Noon: Solemn Mass
3pm: AGM
3.30pm: Solemn Guild Office, Procession and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament

17th January - Kidlington

The chapter met for worship at the church of St Mary the Virgin on the evening of Wednesday, 17th March.

Revd William Whyte was the officiant at Guild Office and gave the address. Fr William took as his theme the patron saint of Ireland, St Patrick, whose feast day it was. After the service the chapter retired to the Refectory for refreshments and the annual general meeting.

Present: Bros. Ben Heffer, Trevor Langrish, Bruce Armour, Stan Goodwin, Sid Cox; Revd William Whyte; Sr Susan Greenaway; supporters Pam Cooper, Mrs Armour David Murray.

Apologies: Bros Ken Belcher, Dennis Dean, Frank Howlett; Revd Dennis Mason; Sr Jenny Dowdeswell.

Minutes of the Chapter AGM 2010

Minutes of AGM of GSS – Chapter of St Birinus held on 17th March 2010 at the Church of St Mary the Virgin, Kidlington.

Present: Bros. Trevor Langrish, Bruce Armour, Ben Heffer (chair), Stan Goodwin, Sid Cox; Sr. Susan Greenaway; Supporters Pam Cooper, Mrs Armour.

1. Opening Prayer – The meeting followed a celebration of the Guild Office in church.

2. Apologies for Absence – apologies were received from Bros. Dennis Dean, Frank Howlett; Srs. Angela Dean, Jenny Dowdeswell; Revd Dennis Mason, Revd Jason St John Nicolle, Revd William Whyte.

3. Minutes of the AGM 2009 – the minutes of the meeting held on 25th March 2009 were read and approved.

4. Matters Arising – Bro Ben reported that there had been no publicity campaign in 2009 as was intended due to a delay in putting the programme together.

5. Secretary’s Report – Bro Ben Heffer presented the Secretary’s Report, recording with sadness the passing of Bros Harry Lord, Michael White and Fr John Davis. Mrs Pam Cooper told the meeting that she attended Bro Michael’s funeral and that she had met his widow, Shirley, recently. Bro Trevor Langrish informed the meeting that while Harry Lord had not attended meetings, he had been a generous supporter of the chapter.

6. Treasurer’s Report – Bro Trevor presented the audited accounts and Treasurer's Report, which were approved and accepted.

7. Election of Chapter Officers – There being no other nominations, Bros Ben Heffer and Trevor Langrish were re-elected as Secretary and Treasurer respectively. Proposed by Bro Stan Goodwin and seconded by Bro Sid Cox. Sr Jenny Dowdeswell has decided to stand down from the chapter committee. An invitation was issued to volunteers to serve on the committee.

8. Chapter Programme 2010 – Bro Ben reported that no meetings had been arranged as yet. Fr Jason St John Nicolle has written inviting the chapter to visit one of his churches in the Churn Benefice again this year. Bro ben reported that he had received an enquiry from the head server at St Barnabas Church and that the servers there were interested in hosting a meeting. The chapter committee would consider the programme at its next meeting.

9. Any Other Business – It was agreed to have a publicity campaign in 2010. Mrs Calcut of Eynsham had sent her best wishes to the chapter and regretted not being able to attend meetings.

10. Closing Prayer – Bro Ben closed the meeting with prayer.

Treasurer's Report 2010

In 2009, there was little activity with the chapter’s finances, which are still healthy - income was £112.72 (£16.23 up on that for 2008). This is because we had a greater amount in collections. Expenditure was £164.48 (£1.80 down on that for 2008). This is due to Secretary’s expenses being slightly less than previously. The deposit account remains untouched and is accumulating interest - the balance on it is currently £1,150.39. This leads to our total assets for the end of 2009 being £1,331.33.

I still enjoy being Chapter Treasurer and am willing to continue.

Membership subscriptions and magazine subscriptions are, as usual, being collected centrally by Direct Debit and should preferably not be paid to me, though I can pass on payment from members who would rather not use direct debit. However, I would gratefully receive any chapter donations.

Finally, I would like to thank Brother Ben Heffer for all his hard work as Chapter secretary. I would also like to thank, in his absence, Father Dennis Mason for auditing the accounts for 2009, thereby checking that I am doing business correctly.

Balance sheet for the year to 31st December 2009

Income
Chapter donations £10.00
Membership subscriptions £20.00
Lloyds TSB Bank interest £1.15
Sub total A £31.15


Collections:
Mar - St Mary's Kidlington £15.00
Jun - St Michael's Blewbury £27.57
Sep - St Mary's Hampton Poyle £20.00
Nov - St Thomas's Oxford £19.00
Sub total B £81.57


Total Income (A+B) £112.72


Balance from 31st December 2008 £1,389.24

Total £1,501.96


Expenditure
Donation to Group Counsellor for travel £20.00
Membership subscriptions £20.00
Secretary's expenses:
photocopying £8.75
postage £45.36
refreshments £14.51
stationery £5.86
New Guild Office books £50.00


2008 cheque late in presentation £5.00


Assets
Lloyds TSB cheque account £182.09
Deposit account £1,150.39
Total Assets £1,331.33


Total £1,501.96

Secretary's Report 2010

The chapter roll stands at 26 comprising 16 members, nine life members and one associate member. We had one new application for membership from a student at St Stephen’s House who was admitted at our meeting in Blewbury in June. I am sorry to report that he subsequently resigned. It was necessary to write to some dormant members during the year to ask them to pay their outstanding subscriptions. Some of them chose not to renew their membership and the number of members on the roll has therefore decreased.

We lost three people associated with the chapter in 2009. At the end of May, Harry Lord passed away. Living at Bloxham, Harry did not attend meetings but was a generous supporter of the chapter. In August, Michael White of Eynsham died. Michael did not attend meetings but was a longstanding member of the Guild and was a regular supporter of the coach trips we used to run to National Festivals. In November, Revd John Davis passed away, previously the Vicar of St John’s Church New Hinksey, he was a long time supporter of this chapter and priest associate of the Guild.

The chapter met for worship four times in 2009. On 25th March, the chapter met here in St Mary's Church, Kidlington to celebrate the Feast of the Annunciation with Guild Office & Benediction. The Rector of Kidlington, Revd Canon Anthony Ellis, officiated and preached. Our thanks to him for welcoming us to St Mary's and leading our worship. Afterwards the chapter AGM was held in the Refectory. 16 members and supporters were present.

On 23rd June, the chapter met to celebrate the Eve of the Birth of St John the Baptist in St Michael's Church, Blewbury by kind invitation of the Rector, Revd Jason St John Nicolle. Before Guild Office, Michael Baily, an ordinand at St Stephen's House, was admitted to the Guild. Our thanks to Revd William Whyte for officiating and leading our worship and to Revd Jason Nicolle for preaching and making us welcome at Blewbury. 20 members and supporters were present.

On 9th September, it was a joy to meet in St Mary’s Church, Hampton Poyle once again. We celebrated the chapter’s feast of title, St Birinus, with Guild Office and sermon given by Revd Canon Anthony Ellis. After guild office, we sang the St Birinus Hymn written by Canon Afred Barton late of Benson and an old friend to the guild. 16 members and supporters were present.

Our plans to meet in St John’s Church, Kidlington in November were thwarted by a last minute booking clash. So instead, on 24th November, we went to the church of St Thomas the Martyr in Oxford. Revd William Whyte officiated for the Guild Office and Revd John Hunwicke preached and gave Benediction. During Benediction prayers were offered for the departed members and supporters of the chapter. 17 members and supporters were present.

Typically, we continue to attract less than 20 people to our services and that being blessed with the presence of some loyal supporters. We cannot continue to function with any less and we urgently need to consider ways of encouraging greater attendance from our existing members and gaining new members.

I am grateful to the clergy of the Kidlington Team Ministry for leading our worship and preaching during the year; Canon Ellis and Fr William. Their support is very much appreciated.Thank you to all who support our services especially Prof David Murray, who plays the organ so well for us. Thank you to Bro Trevor Langrish our MC and for his invaluable work as our chapter treasurer and to Sr Jenny Dowdeswell, who has served on the chapter committee this year.

Bro Ben Heffer, March 2010

Chapter AGM

All are welcome to the next meeting to be held in St Mary's Church, Kidlington at 7:30pm on Wednesday, 17th March, when we will sing the Guild Office on the Feast of St Patrick of Ireland.

Afterwards the chapter AGM will be convened to accept the report and accounts and appoint the officers for the coming year. The minutes of the last meeting held on 25th March 2009 can be found here.

Agenda
1. Opening Prayer
2. Apologies for Absence
3. Minutes of the AGM 2009
4. Matters Arising
5. Secretary’s Report
6. Treasurer’s Report
7. Election of Chapter Officers
8. Chapter Programme 2010
9. Any Other Business
10. Closing Prayer

Offices before and after serving

To be said either in church or at home in cases in which no similar offices have been appointed by competent authority.

Before Serving

+ In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Ant. I will wash mine hands in innocency, O Lord, and so will I go to thine altar. (Alleluia.)

Grant, O Lord,
that I may with clean hands and pure heart
devoutly serve this day at thine altar on earth,
and hereafter be counted worthy
to be numbered among the blessed ones
who worship at the golden altar before thy throne,
through Jesus Christ our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.



After Serving

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.

Ant. To him that overcometh will I give the hidden manna and a new name. (Alleluia.)

Psalm 150. Laudate Dominum.
1. O Praise God in his holiness : praise him in the firmament of his power.
2. Praise him in his noble acts : praise him according to his excellent greatness.
3. Praise him in the sound of the trumpet : praise him upon the lute and harp.
4. Praise him in the cymbals and dances : praise him upon the strings and pipe.
5. Praise him upon the well-tuned cymbals : praise him upon the loud cymbals.
6. Let everything that hath breath : praise the Lord.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son : and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning is now and ever shall be : world without end. Amen.

Ant. To him that overcometh will I give the hidden manna and a new name. (Alleluia.)

O God, who of thy infinite love
hast suffered me to minister this day
before thee at thine altar:
mercifully pardon the imperfections of my service,
and vouchsafe to grant that it may be acceptable to thee,
through the merits of Jesus Christ they Son our Lord,
who liveth and reigneth with thee
in the unity of the Holy Ghost,
ever one God, world without end. Amen.

V/. Blessed, praised and hallowed be Jesus Christ on his throne of glory.
R/. And in the most Holy Sacrament of the altar. Amen