St Augustine's Aldershot - Reaching Out News

Good News! Despite our present economic difficulties, I am proud to say that our Lent giving has not diminished. The ever popular Lent Lunches organised by the Mother's Union, raised a total of Ł384. Our Lent gift envelopes raised a further Ł350. The Lent and Easter coffee mornings raised Ł240. A tremendous Ł9741 As a result we have been able to send Ł300 to the Bishop of Guildford's Lent Appeal for work in Zimbabwe and Ł300 to the Additional Curates Society which helps to provide priests in some of England's most deprived inner city parishes. We also sent Ł180 towards providing a vehicle for the Bishop of Ho in West Africa and Mother's Union charities benefited by receiving Ł192. Our April coffee morning raised Ł125 for Naomi House, our local children's hospice. Another of our popular Quiz nights took place in March, raising Ł630 for church funds. The 'Mediterranean Evening' held in May raised a terrific Ł865. Our Diocesan share is over Ł44,000 this year, 10% more than last year, and so every extra penny raised at events such as these makes all the difference! By supporting our social events you are helping to keep St. Augustine's open - THANK YOU!

Coffee Mornings We continue with our popular coffee mornings, the next one is on Wednesday June 23rd at 10.00am and the proceeds will be donated towards the local drop in, 'The Vine'. Coffee mornings will also take place on July 21st and August 18th. On your own, come along and make new friends, you will be made most welcome!

Mother's Union Our local branch of the Mother's Union is celebrating its 100th birthday in June, there is a thanksgiving service on Friday June 18th followed by a strawberry tea and on June 20th members have organised a celebration lunch. If you would like more details about the Mother's Union pick up a leaflet in church.

Rushmoor Healthy Living continues to organise a range of activities at St.Augustine's, TAl CHI on Mondays at 9.30am and 10.30am, AEROBICS on Fridays at 10.45am and also on a Friday, PILATES at 12 noon.

Weddings If you are thinking of getting married in 2011, NOW is the time to book a date with Fr. Keith, it doesn't have to be on a Saturday! St. Augustine's makes an attractive venue for your wedding, come and see for yourselfl

August Events The usual Assurnptiontide Mass followed by a party in the church grounds will take place at 7.00pm on Friday, 13th August and on Saturday, 21st August there will be the annual garden party at Christine and Clive's (further details on our web site nearer the time)

Recycling The next Jumble Sale is not until the Autumn and so please no jumble until then - however don't forget you can recycle clothes and shoes in the TRAID charity containers in the Church car park. We have recently received our annual certificate, telling us we collected 9 tonnes of stuff last year, saving 113 tonnes of carbon emissions from land fill

Aldershot Women's Refuge We are currently collecting dry goods such as pasta, tinned food, jars of pasta sauces, items that are useful for rustling up a quick meal! Collecting boxes in church or gifts to Fr. Keith.

Gift Aid Remember when making a donation or gift to St.Augustine's, if you are a taxpayer, we can claim the tax back on your behalf and add over 25% to the value of your gift. Though it isn't necessary to use one, there are Gift Aid envelopes in church; all we really need is a name and addressits so easy. We claimed back over Ł9,500 from the Inland Revenue in 2009, 30% more than 2008!

Congratulations to the residents of Woodland Walk on their excellent newsletter which includes a very useful list of local people offering various services and skills. Our thoughts are with all those who are going through the upheaval of moving as we see the redevelopment of the North Town Estate, 'My North Town' is a major project which will transform a large part of our local community. Any suggestions for names for some of 'the courtyards'? - thinking of well known local residents, the rules say it can't be the name of anyone who is still living so it rules out Partnership members-but does it have to be trees!