The full list of services and events for December can be found under "What's On This Week" or "Diary - Two Months" but please see Christmas 2024 for the wonderful array of Christmas services across the Benefice.
The next 3rd Sunday at 3 service on the 15th December at 3pm will also be Shiplake's Carol Service. It will be slightly longer than the usual 3rd Sunday 1/2 hour and will combine bible readings, prayers and plenty of familiar carols with an interactive story and a hand chime rendition of Jingle Bells. Because of the intergenerational content, there won't be a Sunday School this time but it will be back from January onwards. There will be plenty of opportunities to get involved in the service, should you like to. Please come at 2pm if you would like to join in with the hand chimes, so you can have a practice with Helen. We look forward to welcoming you.
This Lent, deepen your faith with our new House Group at The Rise, 19 Rotherfield Road, meeting weekly from 19:30 to 21:30, starting Ash Wednesday, 2025. We’ll explore Andrew Watson’s ‘The Way of the Desert’, reflecting on the spiritual lessons of testing, discipline, and transformation through Scripture, prayer, and discussion. Come enjoy fellowship and grow in understanding of God’s love and guidance in a welcoming, supportive atmosphere. For details, contact David Williams, St Margaret’s Harpsden.
Emergency Health Situations During Services and Other Activities in our Three ChurchesWe had an incident during a service recently, and it was not the first that has occurred in recent years. As a very caring community these were dealt with by those present. In several cases an ambulance needed to be called, and it can be difficult to remember the postcode and address of the location. As a result Leigh has made laminated information sheets for all three Churches, which need to be displayed prominently on the porch noticeboards. They include THREE WORD LOCATORS for all three. At first glance these look a bit nonsensical, but I am assured they are very helpful to Emergency Service Operators coupled with the postcode. They are "race. ratty. elevates" (Shiplake). "homes. whips. scarcely" (Dunsden). "arrive. incensed. feathers. (Harpsden).In cases where emergency help is require someone should go to the porch where mobile phone reception is likely to be better, and use the information on the notice to summon help then go out to the road to direct the help to where it is neededAnyone with medical knowledge or first aid experience should make themselves known to the Church Wardens at the time. In addition the Joint PCC will try to organise some First Aid/First Response Training for those who feel called to take on that role. I for one will be doing this.
