I hope this newsletter finds you well today.
What a glorious week it’s been — sunshine, blue skies, and the scent of spring in the air! The fine weather has certainly lifted spirits, and it was lovely to hear of communities marking VE Day with quiet pride and remembrance. It’s good to pause and give thanks — for peace, for freedom, and for those who came before us.
Of course, while we’ve enjoyed the sunshine, the gardens are beginning to thirst! A gentle reminder, perhaps, of how much we depend on creation’s balance — and how everything flourishes in its right season.
As ever, there’s much happening in the life of our churches. Read on to find out what’s coming up — and may this week bring you encouragement, connection, and moments of grace.
Services for Sunday 18th May.
9.30am
St Matthew’s, Cainscross. Sunday Worship with Baptism
St Laurence, Stroud. Taize
All Saints, Uplands. Holy Communion.
11.00am
The Church of The Holy Spirit, Paganhill. Holy Communion.
Holy Trinity, Slad. Sunday Gathering.
St John The Baptist, Randwick. Methodist Sunday Worship.
Holy Trinity, Stroud. Sunday Worship.
All are welcome to any of our services across the Stroud churches. Do come along and join us at a church near you.
What’s On!
Coffee Morning at Slad Church – Saturday 17th May
You are warmly invited to a Coffee Morning at Slad Church on Saturday 17th May from 10.30am.
Come and enjoy coffee, cake, and good company in one of the most beautiful country churches in the Stroud area, nestled in the heart of the Slad Valley. Whether you’re a regular or a first-time visitor, you’ll be very welcome.
Take in the peaceful surroundings, catch up with friends, and support the life of this much-loved church.
We’d love to see you there!
Praise in the Park – All Welcome!
You are warmly invited to Praise in the Park — a joyful open-air service of worship, music, and fellowship for all ages, organised by Churches Together in Stroud, which brings together all denominations in our area.
Where: Stratford Park Bandstand
When: Sunday 25th May and again on Sunday 31st August
Time: 2.00pm
Bring a picnic, a chair or blanket, and come ready to sing, pray, and celebrate together in the beauty of the park. It’s a wonderful opportunity to gather as one Christian family, visible in the heart of our town. Everyone is welcome — do spread the word!
From Eco-Church to Randwick Forest Sanctuary – A New Chapter Begins
The Stroud Parish Churches Eco-Church, which ran from 2022 to 2023, was created to help us as Christian pilgrims connect with the growing ecological spirituality emerging across the world. That journey is now evolving into something new: Randwick Forest Sanctuary.
We are delighted to share that Randwick Church has opened its doors to us — offering, by happy providence, a new home right beside an ancient woodland. Both the church and the forest will now become sacred spaces for our devotionals, reflection, and community gatherings.
To mark this new beginning, we warmly invite anyone curious about this fresh expression of church to join us for our first Gathering & Retreat:
The Quest Begins
Saturday 17th May
Starting in the Wesley Room, Randwick
Full details can be found here
To help with planning and catering, please let Revd Mathew Page know if you’d like to come, or if you’d like more information:
mathew@stroudparishchurches.
Come and be part of the unfolding story.
Licensing of Revd Coral Francis – All Welcome!
We’re delighted to remind you that the licensing of Revd Coral Francis as our new Team Vicar will take place at St Matthew’s Church on Sunday 20th July at 6.00pm.
This is a joyful and significant moment in the life of our parish, and we warmly encourage everyone to come along to support Coral and to welcome her as she begins her ministry among us. Let’s fill the church with warmth and prayer as we mark the beginning of this new chapter together.
We’re also pleased to share that news of Coral’s appointment has been circulated in the national press this week — a sign of just how important a new clergy appointment is not just for us, but for the wider Church too.
Do come if you can — your presence will mean a great deal.
24-Hour Prayer Event – June 7th–8th
“Come, Holy Spirit”
We invite you to take part in a 24-hour prayer event from Saturday 7th to Sunday 8th June, as we prepare to celebrate Pentecost together.
We begin with a service of worship and prayer at Holy Trinity, Stroud at 11.00am on Saturday 7th June. From there, we’ll commit to keeping a chain of prayer going right through the next 24 hours.
You’re invited to sign up for a 30-minute — whether at home, out on a walk, or in a quiet corner — to pray intentionally for our churches, our communities, and for a fresh outpouring of the Holy Spirit.
We’ll draw the 24 hours to a close with a celebration service at Holy Trinity at 11.00am on Pentecost Sunday, 8th June.
Details on how to sign up will follow soon.
Let’s join together in prayer and expectation!
Save the date :The Stroud Team Family Picnic and Pilgrimage is on 29th June.
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. This Sunday will also be our curate, Rev 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
As we move through the week, I hope you’re finding moments of peace, purpose, and perhaps even joy in the midst of everyday life. Whether you’ve been part of our church community for many years or you’re new among us, you are very welcome — and this weekly update is here to help you feel connected, informed, and encouraged.
As ever, if there’s anything you’d like to talk about or ask, please don’t hesitate to get in touch.
Blessings
James