Change of venue for course

Please note the venue for the speaking in church course has been changed. It will now take place at Bradwell Church instead of St Andrew's Church on Saturday February 4.

The switch has been made because St Andrew's has a heating problem.

For full details see the item headed Speak up and join this useful course.

Date to welcome new director is set

The date has been set for the welcome service for the new Director of Ecumenical Mission, the Rev Canon John Robertson.

It will take place on Saturday April 28 at 2pm at the Church of Christ the Cornerstone. Everyone is welcome.

The Rev Canon John Robertson is currently the Area Anglican Dean in the Wantage Deanery of the Archdeaconry of Berkshire and the Oxford Diocese. He will take up his new role on April 30.

The post of Director replaces the Ecumenical Moderator which was held until the summer by the Rev Mary Cotes.

John is currently the vicar of St. John's, Grove, near Wantage, having served as a curate in Kenilworth and then as chaplain to the University of York until 2000.

Originally from Gloucester, he worked in engineering in Rugby for six years where he met and married Sue. They have three teenage children, Stuart, Hannah and Aidan. He enjoys playing the piano and occasionally performs.

John has a concern for education, he acts as vice-chair of governors for Grove CofE School, and is involved in the debate over secondary education.

He has a wider role in the Diocese connected with Further and Higher Education Chaplaincy and is a Fellow of the University of Gloucestershire Trust. He also represents the Diocese on the Vale Partnership of which he is currently chair.

Special service aids Soup Run

Milton Keynes Soup Run team members held a successful service publicising the work at Bradwell Church on January 15.

Team members would like to thank all those who attended - especially for their generosity in giving to the collection for the Soup Run which totalled £74 as well as those who give gifts for the homeless and needy.

The Soup Run received some valuable publicity on BBC local radio recently.

The Rev Andy Jowitt, minister at Bradwell Church, spoke on the Ernie Almond programme about the work of the run which delivers soup, sandwiches, coffe, tea and more to the city's homeless and needy on four evenings each week.

The Soup Run is jointly run by churches in Stantonbury and Woughton ecumenical partnerships - delivering outside Argos store at Grafton Gate, in Avebury Boulevard by the old Sainsbury's store and outside Milton Keynes Library in Silbury Boulevard.

If you would like to contact any of the Soup Runs to offer help or donate please follow the Contact MK Soup Run link at the top left of this page.