We held our regular Eucharist for the sixth Sunday after Trinity and members of the congregation stayed afterwards to enjoy refreshments.Looking ahead, the PCC met this week and discussed a number of ways in which we can raise funds to support the church while socialising with our community.Monthly bingo sessions are being considered, and we are also planning a Harvest Lunch, a Race Night and a Table Top sale in the run-up to Christmas. More details soon!
Today's service for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity was Morning Prayer, a communal effort involving the lay officials and congregation. The service was led by the churchwarden and the pastoral assistant, our lay reader gave a sermon, one member of the congregation gave the Old Testament reading, another member provided the intercessions and the choir led the hymns.Refreshments were enjoyed by all afterwards.Next Sunday we will have a service of communion.Events this week include the regular gardening session on Monday morning and the Friday coffee morning in the hall.People have also been invited to attend a Mothers Union service at St Mary's Church, Whickham, on Thursday afternoon, which is being conducted by an African bishop as he and his wife journey through the region to the Lambeth Conference. The service is at 2pm.
We were back in church for the fourth Sunday after Trinity, with a communion by extension service conducted by our reader Jill Nattrass.This is another example of how we are continuing to offer worship at St James in spite of currently being without a vicar. Next Sunday our service will be one of Morning Prayer.Also this week, the gardening team meets as usual on Monday at 10am and the regular coffee morning is on Friday in the hall 10.30-12noon.This week will also be marked by the funeral on Thursday in church of Richard (known as Dick) Bell, a longstanding member of St James. We continue to hold his family in our prayers.
Another successful Cafe Church was held last Sunday, enjoyed by all who attended.We're back in church next Sunday, July 10, the fourth after Trinity, when we will have communion by extension led by our Reader.This week is also the time for our monthly Morning Prayer, in church on Thursday at 9.45am.Then it's our regular Coffee Morning in the hall, 10.30 to 12noon.
