Upton Bishop Village News – November 2026
The Church of St John the Baptist, Upton Bishop
Vicar - David Howell 07903790049 Church Warden - Jane Ayres 07989 572356
Curate – Ewan Gillings 07568515628 revgillings@gmail.com
YOU ARE ALWAYS WELCOME
DO YOU NEED A QUIET SPACE OR A LITTLE PEACE?
UB Church is your church, and it’s open every day. A cool and quiet place for anyone to use.
The Churchyard also offers a peaceful spot to walk or sit and enjoy nature.
Dogs on leads are welcome too, but please take away any mess.
OUT WITH THE OLD YEAR- IN WITH THE NEW
November brings us fully into autumn, and the church comes to the end of its year. The month is full of special services - looking back and looking forward.
November 1st is All Saints’ or All Hallows' Day, celebrating all Christian saints and martyrs, hence the name for October 31st – Hallowe’en or All Hallows Eve. Our morning service on Nov 1st will be our usual all- age worship – a short, simple service for everyone and anyone, followed by coffee and an optional visit to the Moody Cow afterwards to carry on the conversations.
In the afternoon, however, David will lead a quiet Remembering Service for All Souls at 4pm – A time to remember with love and give thanks for those special people in our lives we have lost… It’s a service for anyone experiencing bereavement at whatever stage, and all are very welcome.
November 8th Remembrance Sunday – 10.45am – the names of the fallen of Upton Bishop during the two World Wars will be read out, and we remember the sacrifice of servicemen and women in all conflicts.
November 14th/15th – Roof Repair Fund Launch Day- see separate item from Olivia.
The church year ends on November 22nd with the Feast of Christ the King – a celebration of Jesus Christ as King of the universe.
On November 29th, Advent Sunday, the Church makes a new start and begins to look forward again, anticipating the birth of Christ. During the four-week season of Advent, we will consider the forerunners of Christ – John the Baptist, the Patriarchs, Prophets, and his Mother Mary.
A benefice Advent service at 10.30 kicks off our preparation for Christmas with candles and well-known Advent carols. All are equally welcome.
Christmas is fast approaching – pop these dates in your diaries
Christmas Fayre – Saturday, December 5th in the Millennium Hall
Advent Benefice Service -Sunday 29th November at 10.30am
Christmas Carol Service – Sunday 13th December at 4pm
Christmas Day – Friday 25th December - Communion at 9.30am
We have begun rehearsing Christmas music for these services, with the choir very soon – but it’s not too late to join in - we’re a very informal but enthusiastic group, and all are welcome to join us. Children are welcome too. If you’d like to sing with us, or perhaps play an instrument, please let Jane know 07989 572356
Join us after church in the Moody Cow every 1st Sunday
CHISTMAS FAYRE
The Fayre will be held as always at 10am on Saturday, 5th December. Father Christmas will be visiting at 11am. All donations will be very gladly accepted for Bric-a-Brac, Cakes and Produce, Mince pies, Tombola, Toys, Books, Jigsaw Puzzles, and of course, our Grand CHRISTMAS HAMPER DRAW. Please message via social media or on 07496 685 960. Come along on the day to browse among the stalls, do some Christmas shopping, and enjoy a cup of tea among friends.
TEDDY AUCTION in aid of church roof repairs. Silent bids are now being accepted for our Teddy Auction. Will you send us a bid for Big Ted, Fisherman Ned, Trawlerman Eddie or Aviator Edward (see photo)? The highest winning bids will be revealed at the Christmas Fayre, so make sure you have messaged a bid or dropped a note into the wall safe at the church (to the right as you come through the door). Don't forget to include the name of the teddy you are bidding for, your name and a contact number.
CHURCH ROOF REPAIRS
The PCC is facing a bill of at least £250,000 to make the church properly waterproof and reduce the damp. We are applying for funds, but we need to raise as much as possible ourselves so all donations will be very gratefully accepted. Watch out for news of fun ways you can help! Why not put in a bid for a gorgeous teddy?
Upton Bishop WI was treated to an excellent talk presented by one of our own members, Carol Aitken, on Hereford Cathedral's chained library. Carol has been a volunteer there for some time and has amassed a wealth of information on the subject. She explained the library’s origins in medieval times. A book chest was then sufficient to protect the books, because books were very expensive and the cathedral did not own many. After the Norman conquest, wealthier, more educated men came to England. With a greater number of bequests, the number of books grew, and the Chained Library began. We were surprised to hear that many of the chains are medieval in origin and were made in Birmingham! The Hereford Gospel is a manuscript book that is older than the cathedral itself. It is usually locked away in the archive, but when important clerics are installed, it is this book upon which they swear their oath.
In the 1990s, a trust was set up to prevent the cathedral’s treasures from being sold off and to keep them in Hereford. John Paul Getty donated £1 million to house the Mappa Mundi, Chained Library and Hereford’s copy of the Magna Carta. Carol was thanked by the members and applauded for a well-illustrated and most interesting talk. We then had our usual refreshments, raffle, and a Christmas bring-and-buy sale.
Carol, our excellent speaker for the evening.
