Dear AllSince I last wrote to you we have had our first monthly Messy Church. It went really well, God was good and sent us the right number of people so that we had room for everyone to do the crafts, we had enough food to feed everyone and a good time was had by all. I am hopeful this will continue to be a really great opportunity for us as a church to get to know new families and many more children. Thank you to all who got involved this January session and please let us know if you want to be involved in the February session. This will again take place in the High Wych Memorial Hall and there will be a meeting to discuss all things ‘Messy Church’ on Sunday 2nd February after the Family service if you would like to join us.Also, if you have not replied to our party invite can you please let us know so that I can sort out the catering. Many thanks.As you may have picked up I have two baptisms this Sunday. For one of the talks I am planning to do I need a Paddington Bear toy. Can anyone lead me one for this Sunday please? I am happy to collect if you are not going to be in church on Sunday. Thank you.I pray that this week is going well for you and here is a quick reminder of the services we have on Sunday for you.At 9.30 am we have our service of Holy Communion at 9.30 amAt 11.15 am we have our Family Service at St Botolph’s.Looking forward to seeing you soon.Every blessingAlison
Dear AllThis weekend we have our normal Communion service at St James, High Wych at 9.30 am and in the afternoon we have the first of our monthly Messy Church sessions taking place from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in the High Wych Memorial Hall (because it’s warmer at the moment with the unpredictable weather we are experiencing). We do not really know how many children will come (and bring their parents) and so all the planning and catering is being given to God, in the hope that all will be well and we will have enough craft activities and food. Please will you pray for us that God will provide, that people will have real fun when they come, and maybe learn something about Jesus that they did not previously know, and that they will wish to return. We have an amazing team so thank you to all who have agreed to get involved.May you know you are a blessing to me as your Priest.Alison
Dear FriendsHappy New Year to you all.As I write this we have just had our first Wednesday Welcome back at the start of the New Year.Our first Jimmy’s baby and toddler group this morning saw us welcome 16 children with many returning for another term and a couple of new families. Jim’s café will start back next Monday and our first Messy Church of the year will be on 19th January – its all go with so many lovely ways to connect with our community with faith and service at the heart of all that we do.I attach all the information about Messy Church for you to get involved, even if you can’t come along to the sessions it would be great to know that we are being prayed for as we meet at the sessions. The forms are at the back of church if you want to sign up for any of the teams or just ring or e-mail me or Janet if you want more information and there will be a meeting at the Rectory on Monday 13th January at 7.30 pm for all those who want to be involved.This Sunday we have our communion service at St James at 9.30 am and also a Communion service at St Mary’s, Gilston at 11.15 am.I am really looking forward to seeing you all again as our New Year gets underway.Every blessingAlison
A family friendly, fun and creative way of hearing the stories of the Bible and being together, growing community. We will spend time together, creating great things that fit with our story of the day and we will sing, hear a story and eat yummy food together. This will happen every month on the third Sunday of the month at 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. The first two sessions will take place in High Wych Memorial Hall as it will probably be warmer over those winter months – the rest of the sessions will take place at St James Church so that we can take advantage of all our beautiful outside space to have fun and games in. The dates are as follows:- 19th January Messy Church will take place in High Wych Memorial Hall because of the heating from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm. 16th February Messy Church will take place in High Wych Memorial Hall because of heating from 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm – these have already been booked. 16th March Messy Church will be in the church – with the hope it will be warmer by then, again 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm Good Friday Messy Church will take place as usual on 18th April 10.00 am – 12 noon. 18th May Messy Church will be 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in St James 15th June Messy Church will be 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in St James 20th July Messy Church will be 4.00 pm to 6.00 pm in St James There are many ways you can get involved. You can join the Registration Team; The Creative Team; the Celebration Team; the Catering Team; the Prayer Team; the Games Team (outside games when weather allows). There will be a meeting in church on a future date – to be decided with everyone’s diaries.
