This weekend’s Bible readings: Luke 1:23-25, 57-60, 2:21 (p 1026)Midweek Music Wednesday 29th: Michael and Marion will play a selection of music for piano and organ at this month’s Midweek Music on Wednesday. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30. As usual, a collection will be taken to support the work of our three benefice churches.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s16th February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd February 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible readings: Isaiah 42:5-7 (p 727) and John 1:1-9 (p 1063)Next Sunday: There is no pop up shop at St Mary’s this month at the family service on 26th January. It will be back in February. There will, however, be a bookstall.Midweek Music 5th Wednesday this month: Please note that Midweek Music is on 29th January. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30.Advent appeal: Thank you to all who supported the appeal. The total raised across the benefice was £3,460, including the proceeds from the Christmas Crackers concert. Our donations are used to pay for online orders with Sainsbury’s, delivered directly to the foodbank, which Lizzy F places in response to Gemma’ requests. The two are in touch regularly so that Lizzy knows what the foodbank needs in any particular week. Thank you, too, to all of you who give regularly to our foodbank fund, so that we can continue the deliveries throughout the year. In 2024, we sent orders totalling over £8,000. Gemma and her team of volunteers is immensely grateful for our ongoing support.There are boxes in all our churches when items can be placed if you prefer to choose the things you give.Cleaning teams distress call! The cleaning teams in both St Mary’s and All Saints are in dire and urgent need of new members.Sara, who has led the All Saints team for many years, has moved away; we are very grateful to her for her faithful service and wish her well in her new home. Sue P has taken over the task, but is finding that there are so few people willing to join the rota that it will no longer be possible to clean the church every week. If you or anyone you know would be willing to help out, please speak to Sue.At St Mary’s, we just need two more people to volunteer to supplement the teams. It would be only every 6 weeks and others are there to share the load. Please speak to Marion or message her on 07794 651587 if you can help.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:19th January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s16th February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible readings: Acts 8:14-17 (p 1101) and Luke 3:15-22 (p 1030)Blankets and wheat bags: In this extremely cold weather, please remember that we have some blankets and wheat bags at St Mary’s – please ask if you would like to borrow one.Midweek Music 5th Wednesday this month: Please note that Midweek Music is on 29th January. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30.Can you help with a van? Gwen expects to be well enough to come home on Monday 20th, but she may not be able to, because she will need some equipment, which can’t be delivered until 22nd. If you know of anyone with a van who could pick up the equipment, she would love to hear from you. If you can help, speak directly to Gwen or to Caroline.Cleaning teams distress call! The cleaning teams in both St Mary’s and All Saints are in dire and urgent need of new members.Sara, who has led the All Saints team for many years, has moved away; we are very grateful to her for her faithful service and wish her well in her new home. Sue P has taken over the task, but is finding that there are so few people willing to join the rota that it will no longer be possible to clean the church every week. If you or anyone you know would be willing to help out, please speak to Sue.At St Mary’s, we just need two more people to volunteer to supplement the teams. It would be only every 6 weeks and others are there to share the load. Please speak to Marion or message her on 07794 651587 if you can help.FOSM Quiz Night 25th January, 7.30 pm: There are still a couple of tables available for the annual FOSM Quiz Night on 25th January. Teams can be up to 8, and the cost is £15 per head. If you would like to book in, please contact Caroline.Sunday lunch at the Star: Heather is organising our next Sunday lunch at the Star on 26th January. If you would like a place, please let Heather know by Monday 20th January (07909 065550).Bishop Alan’s retirement: We have heard from Bishop Alan that he plans to retire at the end of May. Pray for Bishop Alan as he prepares for this, and for the process to appoint his successor.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:12th January 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s19th January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd February 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints9th February 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
A very happy New Year to everyone, and welcome to the first notices sheet of 2025.This weekend’s Bible readings: Isaiah 60:1-7 (p 746) and Matthew 2:1-12 (p 966)Midweek services: Please note that our midweek services are back this week, starting a new series looking at the middle chapters of Acts. All are welcome, and maps will be provided!Thank you: Thank you to all who have worked so hard to make the Christmas services and events so special this year. Our choir, organists, bell ringers, flower arrangers, church cleaners, Christingle makers and so many more have given hours of their time so that we can celebrate the coming of the baby, the Prince of Peace. As we start out on a new year, please pray for his peace across our hurting world.And thinking ahead: Please remember as the cards are taken down, that Lizzy saves used stamps for the EDS Society and the St Catherine’s folk recycle cards to create new ones. Either can be left at the back of our churches if you don’t see those people.Midweek Music 5th Wednesday this month: Please note that Midweek Music is on 29th January. Refreshments will be served from 11.30 and the concert will take place at 12.30.Rotas: As we enter this new year of 2025, please bear in mind that many of our rotas of helpers are running short-handed. Please consider whether you can help, whether with cleaning our churches, making coffee, arranging flowers, helping at café or in the churchyard or in any other way. Without people to undertake these tasks, we can’t do our core work of sharing the gospel. If you can spare a couple of hours, or if you’re willing to help out on Sundays, please speak to one of the church wardens, or anyone you see doing it at the moment!Sunday lunch at the Star: Heather is organising our next Sunday lunch at the Star on 26th January. If you would like a place please let Heather know by Monday 20th January (07909 065550).Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine'sWednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary'sSunday services:5th January 8.00am Ante communion, St Mary's10.30am Morning worship, All Saints12th January 10.30am Holy Communion, St Mary’s19th January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Holy Communion, All Saints26th January 10.30am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary’s2nd January 8.00am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30am Morning worship, All Saints
