CHRIST Church in Frome will host its Autumn Fair at the parish hall on Saturday 29th October, 9.30am-1pm to raise money for church funds.
There will be Christmas gifts, decorations and cards; cakes, bakes and treats; preserves, jams and chutneys; books, kitchen and dining ware, plants, bulbs and seasonal produce, toys, jigsaws and games; ‘Nearly New’, a raffle and lucky dip and refreshments including bacon sandwiches and pulled pork rolls.
Patsy Stephenson, parish administrator said, “Money raised will help to ensure the church is well maintained, clean, tidy, decorated with flowers (when the season permits), and is ready for the Occasional Offices which our parishioners require. In 2015, 10 children were baptised, seven couples married and a further couple had a service to bless their marriage, as well as 16 funeral services were held in the church. Over 100 people came to Christ Church at Easter, over 340 came from Christ Church School for a Harvest Service and nearly 400 were welcomed on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day.
“While Holy Trinity was being refurbished, we were happy to help out by enabling weddings already arranged for their parishioners to take place at Christ Church. Refreshments are always available after our Sung Mass on Sundays. The churchyard and Garden of Remembrance also require maintenance and although, as with cleaning the church, the tasks are undertaken by volunteers, equipment and resources still have to be paid for.
“We visit people in their own homes and at residential and nursing homes to enable them to share in the Communion of the Christ Church community, and others who are in need of company and prayers in times of loneliness or distress. Volunteers ensure services continue at the Key Centre and at Frome Community Hospital, donations are given to support the Fair Frome food bank and we give Bibles to the children who are starting at Christ Church School.
“Local musicians, choirs and orchestras enjoy performing and recording in the church because of its amazing acoustics and there is always a very healthy attendance at concerts during Frome Festival and throughout the year.
“10% of everything we receive is given back to local, national and international charities; fundraising (including retiring collections after our services), is swiftly organised in response to natural and man-made disasters, from the floods in the north of England to the White Helmets and their rescue work in Aleppo. We don’t receive Government assistance or business sponsorship, so we hold fundraising events so we can keep doing what we do to serve the community.
“In 2018 we will be celebrating Christ Church’s 200th anniversary and we plan to be hosting additional (non-fundraising), events at the church, however the costs for these will have to be covered as will the repairs which are needed to the roof, the tower, the rainwater goods and within the body of the church. If you can help in any way or would like any further information, please contact me on 01373 462715 or christchurchstmary@aol.com .”
