Christians Against Poverty (CAP) 

Lifting people out of debt and poverty

Part time Debt Coaches opportunity

DIDCOT AND WALLINGFORD AREA CAP DEBT CENTRE 
Have you considered working for the Didcot and Wallingford Area CAP Debt Centre who  provide practical and holistic support for people struggling with debt in partnership with  local churches in the Didcot and Wallingford and surrounding areas, as well as offering the  opportunity to hear the Gospel. 

Please prayerfully consider if God is calling you to join us as a part-time Debt Coach. 
The 2 posts are available for 8 and 12 hours a week, with a starting salary of £27,908.72 per  annum pro rata (£6,034.32 -£9,051.48) 

Please click here for more information and here for a detailed job description, 
or email naomigibson@capuk.org or contact Melanie Shields, on 07554043853 to discuss the role.  

Closing date for applications is 30th March 2026 at 9am.

Oasis Cafe is Saturday 21st March

We Look forward to seeing you there, everyone is welcome.

Services commencing from Sunday 15th-29th March 2026
in All Saints' Chilton, Chilton Village Hall and St Matthew's Harwell         

Sunday 15th March
All Saints' Chilton 9.30am Holy Communion
St Matthew's Harwell 10.30am Morning Worship
St Matthew's Harwell 6.00pm Evening Worship

Sunday 22nd March
All Saints' Chilton 9.30am All Age Worship
St Matthew's Harwell 10.30am Morning Worship
St Matthew's Harwell 6.00pm Holy Communion

Sunday 29th March
All Saints' Chilton 9.30am Morning Worship
St Matthew's Harwell 10.30am Holy Communion
St Matthew's Harwell 6.00pm Evening Worship

Everyone is welcome 

The Church Electoral Roll and Annual Meetings 2026

The Electoral Rolls for St Matthew’s Harwell and All Saints’ Chilton are being revised in the period 15th March to 29th March  inclusive. The Electoral Roll is your Parish Church’s Register of Electors, the list of those qualified to vote at the Church Annual General Meeting at which the Parochial Church Council and Deanery Synod representatives are elected. You need to be on the Electoral Roll for at least 6 months to be an elected PCC member. If you are already on the Electoral Roll you do NOT need to re-register. 

An electronic copy of the Electoral Roll application form (form E2) obtained by contacting the Church Office at office@harwellandchiltonchurches.org.uk or Tel 01235 834 256. Alternatively, you can pick up a paper copy of the form from the font near the main door of either St Matthew’s or All Saints’ church. 

You should return your completed form for St Matthew’s, Harwell to Mike Pepper at 10 Jennings Lane, Harwell OX11 0EP and for All Saints’, Chilton to Carol Pigott at 18 Latton Close, Chilton OX11 0SU. The deadline in both cases is no later than 29th March 2026.
 
Why be on the church Electoral Roll? 
Being on the Electoral Roll gives you the opportunity to have your say. It is a key part of the church’s system of democracy. It gives you a vote at the church Annual Meeting. It also means that you can be elected to the church council (the “PCC”) or nominate others to be elected to it. 
 
The PCC is the key decision-making body of our churches. By law, we need a healthy number of elected ordinary PCC members to balance out the benefice-licenced clergy-people who are automatically on it! As the saying goes: if not you, then who? 
 
The Electoral Roll also gives a crude indication of church membership. The more members we have, the more say we get at the regional decision-making bodies called the Deanery & Diocesan Synod. 

If you are a committed member of our congregations, please consider adding your name to the Electoral Roll. Those aged 16-17 are eligible as well as adults. 

Annual Meetings
All Saints’ Annual Meeting will be on Sunday 26th April  following the 9.30am service at 10.30am.
 
St Matthew’s Annual Meeting will be on Sunday 19th April following the 10.30am service at 11.30am.

Please contact the Church Office (see details above) nearer the time for access to electronic or paper copies of the meeting agenda and papers.

March Prayer update from the Wilsons 

Greetings from Addis.
 

Thanks so much for your prayers and support this month. Things are good here.
 
Chris has started a new semester at EGST (Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology), and is encouraged to have a number of new students taking his systematics course. Teaching at EGST continues to be a thing that gives him great joy. He has just sent off a manuscript for a book last week (based off the PhD) and so is looking forward to having a little more breathing space.

We’ve decided to put Abigail back into Bingham in a couple of weeks, after their half-term here. The situation at the school continues to be very challenging on a number of different levels, so do be praying for her, but also please pray for ongoing wisdom and discernment for school leadership and the board.

 We are (very) slowly moving forward in the situation with the little boy we take care of. Next week we will get some documents authenticated, and after this hope we can submit relevant paperwork to the Ministry of Women and Social Affairs. Do continue praying into this, for open doors and God’s timing.

Finally, please pray for this nation. We are hearing concerning reports both from international media and individuals here that another war is likely in Tigray region. It was only a few years ago that conflict ravaged that region and people are still very traumatised from what was seen and experienced. We are praying for boldness, wisdom and strength for the church, for church leaders to be preachers of peace, and for some kind of peace agreement so another war can be avoided.
 

Love, Suzy and Chris

 



            
                                                

Fledgelings Refreshment Volunteers needed! 

Fledgelings meets on a Monday during term time in St Matthew's Church Harwell between 9.30am-11.30am.  We have a small group of volunteers who help when they can, which we are very grateful for, but we would like to increase the number of volunteers to help share the load!

You don't have to bring anything with you, other than yourself and we can show you what needs to be done.

It's a great opportunity to meet and chat to some of the mums and dads  over coffee/tea and cake that come along to the session.

We are really flexible on when people can help, so please consider it and get in contact with Deborah at de.hcchurches@gmail.com.  Alternatively, you can leave a message at the church office on 01235 834256 and someone will call you back.
 

HARWELLCOME Cafe is now back on Thursday's 2.00pm - 4.00pm

Join us at the Harwellian Club for a warm and inviting gathering where everyone is welcome. 

Enjoy FREE tea, coffee and cake while connecting with neighbours and friends. 

A wonderful opportunity to relax and build community every Thursday afternoon..

Bring your family and friends - all are welcome!

If you feel you would like to help in anyway please contact
Elaine Shrimpton e.shrimpton17@gmail.com for more information.

Hosted by the Harwellian Club and organised by St Matthew's Church, Harwell OX11 0HL

 

Defibrillator at St Matthew's Church, Harwell

St Matthew's Church now has a defibrillator, kindly donated by the Late Dennis Lay.

The defibrillator is located next to the church porch, behind the bench.

 

Parochial Church Council Newsletters

This year we are seeing the introduction of a regular newsletter from All Saints Chilton PCC and St Matthew's Harwell PCC giving you an update on items of interest discussed.  A takeaway hard copy will be available in the relevant church.

St Matthew's PCC Newsletter
January 2026




All Saint's PCC Newsletter 
February 2026

Exciting news from Christians Against Poverty!

are pleased to announce that now they in this new year have another CAP client who has gone debt free bringing the total to 106!

Praise the Lord!

A note from Jeremy 

We’re looking forward to Rev Sasha Reeves being back with us following her maternity leave. She will be completing a phased return over several weeks towards the end of the month, so you may well see her here and there. Whilst we’re delighted she’s back, sadly she is moving into the final year of her curacy so our time together is limited as she follows the pathway to completion of curacy set by Oxford Diocese. Do keep Sasha, Matt and Maisie in your prayers as they adjust to starting nursery and returning to ministry.

She sends her love and prayers to us all.

Sustainable Didcot The LOT

Is there to promote sustainability. Additionally, to help reduce waste and promote sharing and recycling of items. It also offers people the option of flexibility and financial saving, both in terms of not having to find space to store occasionally or rarely used items, whilst at the same time avoiding extra costs of purchasing potentially expensive items that can often put a strain on household budgets. It works in a very similar way to a library, whereby users can register and sign up, then go on to borrow items from our central storage location at The Green Hub for a period of time.

The LOT is located at The Green Hub, at the rear of the SOHA building down near Didcot railway station and is open and running at the times shown on the poster.

Fledgelings are back on ......
                                               

Monday 8th September in St Matthew's Harwell, and Wednesday 10th September in Chilton Community Room.  Both Harwell and Chilton sessions start at 9.30am.

See you there!


 

In preparation for the Christmas Ukraine Collection 

We are again sending Christmas boxes to the Ukraine and need shoe boxes. 

Shoe boxes in good condition can be left at the back of St Matthew's only until the end of August please.

Mid week Communion(BCP) in St Matthew's 

11.00am Mid Week Communion on a Thursday in St Matthew’s  has now come to an end, 
but continues to be offered at All Saints’ Chilton on a monthly basis with the next service being held on Thursday 8th May 2025  11.00am


Everyone is welcome

A Harvest visit from Harwell School to St Matthew's Church 

On Monday 7th October, around 200 children from Harwell School came into St Matthew's to celebrate Harvest Festival and with them they bought a wonderful amount of donations for the Didcot Foodbank.

Firstly, a thank you to Mr Bryn Gibson the head teacher, the teachers, teacher assistants and all the children for walking down to the Church in somewhat changeable weather.  Thank you also to the many parents that also came along.

Anyone passing the church between 1.30am-2.30pm, may have heard the wonderful loud singing by the children, it was rather amazing!

We look forward to welcoming Harwell School again soon.

The image is of all the kind donations made by Harwell School for the foodbank.  Two of our volunteers took all of the items, plus more that had been kindly left in the church to the foodbank on Tuesday.  

As a reminder:

In St Matthew's and All Saints'

St Matthew's and All Saints' continue to have a Foodbank box in each of the Churches where non perishable items, with a shelf life of at least six months can be left for onward transportation to the Food Bank. 

At this present time they would be particularly grateful for:

Long life milk
Long life fruit juice
Hot chocolate
breakfast cereals
biscuits/treats
Pasta
Pasta sauce
Jam
Peanut butter
Rice
Tea bags
Small jars of coffee
Tins of fish
Tins of fruit
Tins of meat
Tins of vegetables
Tins of soup
Tin puddings

Thank you so much for the continued support for the Foodbank.

The Almshouses in Harwell need our help in finding Trustees

The Almshouses in Harwell are a fascinating feature in the history of the village. They are situated in the High Street next to the War Memorial and date back to the early 18thcentury when Frances Geering, a lady with very modern-day views, decided when she married late in life, that rather than allow her new husband to take over her considerable financial assets, she would use them to establish Almshouses which would benefit the village. Since then, they have provided much appreciated housing for many ladies, and continue to do so now.

The Almshouses are a registered charity, administered by a group of Trustees whose duties include the upkeep of the Grade 2* listed building, ensuring compliance with the requirements of the Charity Commission, management of the finance and the appointment and well-being of the residents who live there. This is a wide brief and so requires people with a broad spectrum of experience and interest to offer.

At present there are six Trustees who hold evening meetings four times a year. The Trustees are now looking for two additional persons who could, in particular, offer experience in data protection and storage or in fundraising. However, they would also be very pleased to hear from anyone who maybe just has an interest in being involved in the management and preservation of this historic element of our village. While this is a wonderful opportunity for retirees who may have some extra time to spare, the Trustees would encourage younger parties in the community to consider applying, to obtain as broad approach to Trustee duties as possible – please note that Trustees must be at least 18 years of age.

For more information about both positions, please contact the Clerk to the Trustees, Serena Fuller, by phone: 07903637124 or by email: serena.fuller24@gmail.com.

Check out these moments of faith! 

 God is doing some amazing things through CAP across the UK!

• 98 people said yes to following Jesus for the first time
• 47 people re-committed to following Jesus
• 107 people shared their story of becoming a Christian
• 21 people got baptised
• 335 people expressed curiosity to learn more about Christianity
• 109 people attended Alpha or other explorers course for the first time
• 339 people heard the gospel for the first time
• 70 people joined a Bible study or small group for the first time
• 336 people attended a church social or hospitality event for the first time
• 194 came along to a church worship service for the first time
• 125 people accessed the wider support of the church
• 89 people volunteered at church for the first time
• 690 people accepted prayer for the first time
• 220 people experienced answered prayer
• 135 people asked for prayer for the first time
• 447 people continued to attend church, Bible study, explorers course or support groups.

(Nov 2023 till present day)

Take some time to celebrate and thank God for all he is doing week by week around the UK through our churches!

Volunteers needed 

"The Church Hall Project Group has been given the go ahead by the PCC to start to make the church hall more usable and used.

St Matthew’s needs car parking marshals (training provided)

St Matthew’s is looking to build a team of car parking marshals to draw upon when we are expecting large numbers of people who have driven e.g. for weddings, funerals, baptisms and concerts. We can now only use Princes Manor farmyard for parking if we have marshals present. Marshals work in pairs so you wouldn’t be on your own, and of course it would be subject to your availability.

Please contact Jane Woolley at janemn.woolley@hotmail.co.uk or 0794 112 4620 if you would like to find out more.

Training and equipment e.g. hi viz jacket will be provided. We can offer free entry if you marshal for a concert or its rehearsals!   

Do you have experience in Health and Safety? 

 
All Saints' Church in Chilton needs some help to advise us on health and safety.  We need a volunteer with appropriate experience to look at our church building and our procedures to make sure that they meet requirements and advise on any changes/improvements needed.  We would also need occasional advice on an ad hoc basis.  We would really appreciate your help on this.  Please give us a call on 01235 832484 or email judithrussell100@gmail.com to have a chat and find out more.

An opportunity to explore! 

 Anyone interested in exploring helping out on the concert/event manager rota (that is, being the responsible person in church while visiting artistes rehearse or perform) is invited to a drop-in at St Matthew's 10.30am on Saturday 12 August to be shown what it entails.
It's not only a great way to take part (free!) in the cultural life of our village but a really important outreach into our community demonstrating the church building to be accessible and our welcome to be warm.

Do you have electrical expertise? 

The 5-year electrical installations inspection for St. Matthew’s is due this year. It would be a great help to the Churchwardens and Buildings Committee if there is someone with suitable interest and expertise who could take on the organisation of this work.

If you can help please contact Tony Hughes, Chairman of the Buildings Committee, tel: 01235 835301 or a.hughes09@btinternet.com .

would you have a few hours to spare possibly a couple times a year? 

Would you have a few hours to spare possibly a couple of times a year? The Christians Against Poverty Debt Centre which our churches support is looking for friendly people who could move 'blessings' around the greater Didcot area. A 'blessing' is a donation to help a Debt Centre client get back on their feet. It might be as large as a piece of furniture or as small as a smartphone and needs collecting from the donor and delivering to clients.

If you'd like to chat about this opportunity (which isn't restricted to weekdays).

Please contact Naomi Gibson naomigibson3107@gmail.com or 07884 425460 in Chilton or Liz Roberts lizzyroberts333@gmail.com or 07745 802030 in Harwell.



 

didcot food bank needs our Help

In both St Matthew's Harwell and All Saints' Chilton there is a box at the back of the Church where you are able to leave your kind donated non perishable food/toiletry items which we then pass onto Didcot foodbank.  

What food is needed? 

Tins of meat / fish / potatoes / carrots / peas / soup / fruit / puddings 

Jars of pasta sauces / jam / peanut butter / coffee (small)  

Packets of pasta / rice / packets dried potato / breakfast cereals / biscuits / treats / tea 

Cartons of long-life milk/long-life juice / hot chocolate 
 

also……toiletries, toilet rolls, & clothes-wash items, but no alcohol, razors, medicines, or homemade preserves

Please note that all donated items must be long life and, where applicable, have a best before or use by date at least six months ahead, i.e. anything donated in March 2023 must have a date of Sept 2023 or later.