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The Church of the Holy Cross, Avening, Gloucestershire
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Priest-in-charge
Rev. Celia Carter
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Celia was one of the first women to be ordained a Priest in the Church of England after the prolonged debate in General Synod and then in Parliament. She was ordained in Gloucester Cathedral in 1994.
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Previously, since 1989, Celia had served as a Deacon in the combined parishes of Avening and Cherington, whilst also working as chaplain to three hospitals and serving as a magistrate.
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Since 1994, Celia has served this benefice as a Non-stipendiary Priest and incidentally became the first non-stipendiary priest to be given the cure of souls in her own parishes. She believes fervently in an all-inclusive Christian ministry and therefore welcomes people of all denominations to our Lord’s Table.
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As an extended part of her ministry, Celia is one of the founder Trustees to the Seven Springs Foundation which gives respite day care and support to all families with children having special needs or suffering from life threatening illnesses, both in this country and in Turkey, at their Hop, Skip and Jump Centres.
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Although she regards her principal duty as being to the people of the parish, she has also raised money for many important repairs to the church which have made it more serviceable to the community. During the last 14 years the stone tile roof, transepts and vestry have been restored, water brought into the church, a disabled toilet and new organ have been fitted and great improvements to the access paths have meant that the elderly and disabled can readily use the church. The church bells have been restored and rehung so that our own and visiting bell ringers can now regularly chime out over the village. The Millenium Cross was instigated by Rev. Celia in 2000.
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Celia vigorously encourages the use of the church as an integral part of village life here in Avening, with links to the village primary school and other community groups.
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Organist
Stuart Walkley
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Music is an important part of our workshop at Holy Cross Avening for most of our services and of course an integral part of our many celebrations throughout the Christian Year. From time to time we hold musical events and the fine acoustics of this wonderful Norman Church do full justice to a variety of musical occasions - from a
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String Quartet to a Solo Soprano, a Junior Rock Band to a male-voice choir. Always we hope that our sounds are to the Glory of God.
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Our Organist, Stuart Walkley, is a Fellow of the Academy of Saint Cecilia, and has had a varied musical background from playing triangle in the school orchestra, trombone in a brass band, and the Organ at St Giles in the Fields. He sang with Musica Deo Sacra, with the choir of St Mary’s Edinburgh, and in Tewkesbury Abbey as well as several Choral Societies and Madrigal Groups. “We all have music in our bones and in our souls” and whatever our degree of ability or confidence the opportunity at Avening is to “make a glad sound unto the Lord”.
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Stuart is available on 01453 757784 or you can email him by this link: email Stuart to if you wish to discuss your requirements or come to see him most Sundays before or after the 11.00 am service. You will be most welcome.
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www.aveningchurch.info
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Licensed Lay Minister (Reader)
Derrick Pierce
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Having served as a member of the Parochial Church Council and Church Warden of St. Mary's Church, Kingswood for a number of years, and following three years training at the Gloucester School of Ministry (WEMTC), Derrick was licensed as the Lay Reader in that Benefice in 1995. When Derrick and his wife moved to Somerset to take over a Post Office and General Store his licence was transferred to The Bath and Wells Diocese.
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In 2004, Derrick and his wife moved to Avening, and we at Holy Cross Church, were very fortunate that Derrick agreed to transfer his licence back to the Gloucester Diocese, where he has served the Avening and Cherington Benefice for the last four years.
Derrick can be contacted either on 01453 835090 or by email here
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Archivist
Fred Vening
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Fred has been doing some valuable work for us recently.
He has transcribed the Avening Census Returns for 1841,1851, 1861, 1871, 1881, 1891 and 1901.
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He has also produced an indexed transcription of Avening baptisms, marriages and burials from 1700. He also plans to start mapping the churchyard.
Currently Fred is researching and compiling a book giving details of all those names who appear on our War Memorial in the Church and would be delighted to hear from anyone who has detailed information which could be added to this.
He is responsible for church records and archives, particularly Census Returns and Parish Registers and is willing to provide information to those researching family history. No charge is made for any service although a donation to Church funds is appreciated. You can contact him by emailing using this link: email Fred.
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Church Wardens
Mrs Stephanie Hamilton
Mr George Buchanan
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Our church wardens do an excellent job of looking after the church. George can be contacted by phone on 01453 833016
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Parochial Church Council
Treasurer: Mr Peter Lindesay
PCC Secretary: Mrs Margaret Barton
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Margaret can be contacted on 01453 835541 or by clicking here: email Margaret. She will be happy to help if you have any queries.
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Magazine Editor
Mrs Kathleen Lindesay
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The Parish magazine is published monthly. To submit articles or enquire about how to subscribe to the magazine, please contact Kathleen by emailing using the following link: email Kathleen
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Sacristan / Flower Team
Gill Parsons
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Gill Parsons is the Sacristan and is also responsible for church flowers. She can be contacted by email here.
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