A warm welcome to this week’s newsletter.

This Sunday we celebrate Trinity Sunday, a day that invites us to wonder at the mystery of God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit, united in love and relationship. It’s also Father’s Day, a time to give thanks for fathers and all those who have shown us care and guidance along life’s way.

Wherever you are this Sunday, gathered with family, in church, or simply taking a moment to pause, may you know something of that deep and generous love that flows from the heart of God.

This Sunday also marks a special moment in the life of our churches, as Stroud’s Methodist Minister,  Revd Rachel Hope,  leads her final service at Randwick before her retirement in July. Rachel has been a much-loved colleague and friend, and a faithful partner in our ecumenical life, especially in Randwick and at St Alban’s. We are deeply grateful for her ministry, her wisdom, and her quiet strength.

There will be a chance to say farewell to Rachel on Sunday 13th July at 3pm at St Alban’s, with a special gathering to celebrate her ministry. All are warmly welcome.

Sunday Services for 15th June.

9.30am
Sunday Worship at St Matthew’s, Cainscross.
Holy Communion at All Saints, Uplands.
Taizé at St Laurence, Stroud.

11am
Sunday Worship at Holy Trinity, Slad.
Sunday Worship at Holy Trinity, Stroud.
Holy Communion at The Church of The Holy Spirit, Paganhill.
Methodist led Service of Holy Communion at St John The Baptist, Randwick.

Wednesday Communion will be at Holy Trinity, Stroud at 10am on 18th June.

Event at St Laurence Church this Friday evening,  13th June

More than a Woman: Remarkable Women in Early Music

Performing on a variety of fascinating instruments, Sounds Historical, put women at the centre of their latest programme and introduce you to some remarkable females who left a tangible musical legacy in many ways – from patrons to poets, printers to publishers and composers, students and scribes.

Works by: Cara, Hume, Johnson, Ferrabosco, Rusca, Leonarda, Abel, Jacquet de la Guerre, Taillart, Schickhardt, Sancho.

Book tickets here 

Growing Hope: Accessibility in a Church Setting.

Thursday 17 July 2025
6pm – 9pm
St Matthews, Church Road, Cainscross

Do join us for an opportunity to think broadly about the barriers those with additional needs often experience in a church setting. We will look at why we as Christians are called to make churches places of true welcome, how God speaks to us through our 8 senses, and what strategies/activities we can use across church to help more people be part of our church family through those senses.

For more information please click here.
And to book your place please click here.

Stroud Team Family Picnic and Pilgrimage – 29th June

Advance notice to put our annual picnic and pilgrimage into your diaries.

The day will start with Communion and Breakfast at St. Laurence (8.30am), before walking via St. Matthews, Paganhill, and Randwick up to a lunchtime Picnic and Praise session at Whiteshill (12.15pm).

After lunch the pilgrimage continues (for the very committed!) to Slad, Uplands, and St. Albans, before a final service of thanks, praise and cake at Holy Trinity, Stroud (4pm).

As always, this day is for all of us, however little or much we can manage.

Sunday 29th June will also be our curate, Revd Steve’s last Sunday with us in the team. So, it will be a chance to say farewell and worship together with Steve one last time in his current role.

Celebration Service to mark 15o years of Stroud Hospital at Holy Trinity Church, Stroud at 3pm on 6th July

150 years of Stroud Hospital Celebration Service with Bishop Rachel. Refreshments will be served after the service by the League of Friends.

Revd Coral Francis’ Licensing Service 

Sunday 20th July at 7pm at St Matthew’s Church

Please make a note of another joyful occasion: the licensing service of Revd Coral Francis by Bishop Robert. It will be an evening of welcome and celebration as Coral begins her ministry among us — do join us if you can.

My thanks for taking the time to read this week’s newsletter.

As always, this is a snapshot od all that is happening here at SPC. Please visit our website at www.stroudparishchurches.org.uk for a full list of services and events.

May God be with you in the coming week and if there’s anything you need, whether a conversation, a prayer, or a helping hand, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.

With every blessing

James