Christmas servicesWe are sure you appreciate that it is very difficult to make plans at the moment, but the PCC has decided that, if circumstances change, and if it is at all possible, we shall hold a United Benefice Mass on Christmas Day at 10am. Regrettably, this can be the only Christmas service we can offer at the moment (there will be no Carol Service, no Crib Mass and no Midnight Mass)Despite the recent news of government funding of free meals for children over the Christmas holiday ----“FOR I WAS HUNGRY AND YOU FED ME” Matthew 25 : 35There is a growing number of children in our school who do not usually qualify for Free School Meals but who are now affected by the furlough scheme and family redundancy. As a result, there are many families struggling to buy food.During the half-term break, Natalie and Lynda sat in the church porch and distributed free lunches provided by “Lunches4Children”. Our grateful thanks go to them for doing this.To take this a step further, the PCC enthusiastically agreed to Natalie’s suggestion for us to collect food items for pupils nominated by the school.The idea is to give every child in our school who needs it 14 breakfasts, 14 lunches and 14 teas for the Christmas break. Please will you contribute something and put in the box on the long pew? (during lockdown church is open for private prayer 11-12 on Sundays)All items should not require fridge/freezer storage as they will be kept in church/school prior to distribution.If you wish, you can donate money which will be used to buy milk and bread on the day of distribution.Serving our neighbour/community is part of what God is calling/asking/expecting us to do. Let’s start as soon as possible!! Many thanks from Natalie and Lynda, the Churchwardens and PCC.
As you most probably know, from July 4th churches have been given permission to hold some services. This does not mean that we should rush headlong into something The PCC is trying to strike a balance between people’s possible desire to worship together in the Mass and the need for continued health and safety precautions.We have arranged for an 11am Mass to take place each Sunday in July. This will be a simplified version of our usual service and should last for approximately 30 minutes,The priests are well aware of the precautionary steps imposed upon them in the celebration of the Mass, and we are grateful to them for their help and support.The decision as to whether to attend and, if you do, whether to receive Communion, may be a difficult one for some. If you do come, you will be very welcome. If you feel you are not ready to take that step, rest assured that, as a member of our church family, you remain in our prayers and you will be very welcome in church at some future date.Talking of church family, it was good that so many of us were able to bid “farewell” to Tom as the hearse left his home for Pleasington Crematorium. It was a wonderful show of support for Angela and a fitting tribute in these restrictive times to a dedicated and cherished member of Saint Mary Magdalen’s. Tom loved his Lord and he loved our church. May he rest in peace.If you would like some pointers which we have put together about the running of the 11am service or if you have any other queries, do please contact one of usLorna (01254 237362) Pat (01254 872273)Keep well! Stay safe! Trust in the Lord!Lorna and PatHere are the designated readings for July5 July Trinity 4 Genesis 24 vv34-38,42-49 Ps 45 vv10-end Romans7 vv15-25 Matt 11 vv16-19, 25-end12 July Trinity 5 Genesis 25 vv19-end Ps 119 vv05-112 Romans 8 vv1-11 Matt13 vv1-9, 18-23 19 July Trinity 6 Genesis 28 vv10-19 Ps 139 vv1-11,23,24 Romans 8vv12-25 Matt 13 vv24-30,36-4326 July Trinity 7 Genesis 29 vv15-28 Ps 105 vv1-11 Romans 8 vv26-end Matt 13 vv31-33,44-52
With the relaxing of Covid 19 restrictions, from Sunday 5th July we will be having an 11a.m. mass. However, this will be in one kind only and will be without hymns, so a shorter service.To minimise any risk the now 'normal' social distancing and sanitising rules will apply.