Dear FriendsThis week in both St Mary’s, Gilston and St James, High Wych we are running something called Safeguarding Sunday. Safeguarding will be the focus of our service and Cath Sharples our Safeguarding Officer will be running us through some of the things we may not know, as legislation in this area is changing rapidly.I know many of you are currently DBS checked for our different church activities and will be on a regular programme of safeguarding training, but for many of you this maybe the first time you have considered safeguarding in a church setting.We will not be showing any videos for this service, but their maybe elements of what we are talking about that maybe ‘triggering’ from your past experience. If this is you, you may not want to attend this service or may want to make a time to meet with myself or Cath to discuss things through with a safeguarded adult.Both services will still be Holy Communion services and follow the usual service sheet. St Mary’s service is an extra service to the normal timetable as we swopped last week to St Botolph’s, Eastwick, because of the Act of Remembrance at the War Memorial. If you normally come to St Mary’s this will help you understand the change of date for this month.On Sunday afternoon we will have our Messy Church session in High Wych Hall 3.00 pm – 5.00 pm. (see attached flyer for more details). Please invite a family member or neighbour if you think this is something they would enjoy. The theme for this Sunday is ‘Jesus the Good Shepherd’. We will also be welcoming Freya (who was baptised a couple of weeks ago) into our Messy Church family.Next weekend we have our churchyard clear up at St Botolph’s, Eastwick, please come if you are able, refreshments will be provided and it has turned into a fun, community event each time we have done this.I look forward to meeting you at one or more of these events as we strive to; Grow in Faith, Grow in Hope, and Grow in Love.Every blessingAlison
During Advent we can do many things to help us think more closely about the Christmas Story, connecting our lives to that of the birth of Jesus and that very first Christmas. We may use Advent candles, Advent calendars, Advent Bible Study orwe may want to enhance others lives with acts of kindness. Many of us will have already have been buying presents for our loved ones, or thinking about where is the best place to give generously this Christmas.I am hopeful that you may consider giving generously of some Christmas food for the Pop-Up shop in Sawbridgeworth – to help families be able to celebrate well this Christmas.These are my suggestions:-Week 1 We focus on bring soft drinks for that week.Week 2 Stuffing, gravy products, cranberry sauceWeek 3 Christmas puddings, mince pies, Christmas biscuits, toiletriesAll donations need to be in St James church by December 12th to make the bags that will be given out from the Pop Up shop. Alternatively, you may want to make a donation to the Pop Up Shop at:-Barclays BankSort Code 20-36-98Account Number 60798029Name of account: Sawbridgeworth Congregational ChurchUse ref: Pop-Up shopThis will call us to sacrifice some of our wealth but it will benefit others who are struggling. St James church is open every day from 9.30 am to 4.00 pm for you to bring food and place in the green box provided, and we will make sure this food getsto the Pop Up Shop.Thank you, Rev Alison
Dear FriendsI hope this e-mail finds you well. It is a particularly mild day today and very pleasant to walk Bean.It reminded me that we have our Community Dog Walk on Saturday starting from St Mary’s, Gilston at 2.30 pm and I hope some of you will be able to join us. Christine and Rosemary will be providing their yummy cake as usual (not to be missed) for us at the end of our walk around 4.00 pm. If you don’t want to do the walk but would like the fun of the café, and catching up with friends, please come along – it will be great to have you with us.I also attach the flyer for the St Botolph’s, Eastwick churchyard tidy up. We will be putting it to bed for the Winter and the hope is we can leave it in good order and have fun working together and I am hoping to persuade Peter to create hotdogs again as a snack for the workers. Please join us if you can and bring your own garden tools and gloves!As we think about this weekend, this Sunday we will be commemorating Remembrance Day in both parishes.We will have our usual service at 9.30 am with communion, at St James, High Wych, which will have a Remembrance theme followed by hot drinks and then a gathering by the war memorial from 10.45 am for the usual Act of Remembrance.At St Botolph’s, Eastwick at the War Memorial at 10.45 am we will have an Act of Remembrance, led by Rosemary Davis, and this will be followed by drinks and snacks in the church for everyone.I hope you will be able to join us at one or all these events, this is community, worshipping, working and having fun together.Every blessingAlison
A New Chapter for the Church: Welcoming the Archbishop of Canterbury As the seasons change and autumn gives way to winter, the Church of England enters a new season of its own. This November, we give thanks for the appointment of Dame Sarah Mullally as the 106th Archbishop of Canterbury — and, for the first time in history, a woman will lead the Anglican Communion from that ancient seat at Canterbury. For many, this moment feels like a gentle whisper of renewal — not a sudden wind, but a steady breeze of God’s ongoing work through His people. It is a reminder that the Holy Spirit continues to raise up servants for each generation, calling both women and men to shepherd His Church with faith and humility. Sarah Mullaly’s Life of Service so far Before her ordination, Dame Sarah served as a nurse and later as Chief Nursing Officer for England — a life already devoted to care, compassion, and healing. Her journey into ministry was marked not by ambition, but by obedience. “My call to serve God has always been about saying ‘yes’ to Him,” she once said, “even when I did not know what that ‘yes’ would lead to.” That same spirit of trust now carries her into this new calling. She will officially take up her post in early 2026. Her appointment comes at a time when the Church faces many challenges — questions of unity, trust, and relevance — but also fresh opportunities to bear witness to the unchanging love of Christ. Hope for a Divided World Across our nation and the wider world, people are hungry for hope, for meaning, and for leaders who serve rather than rule. Archbishop-designate Mullally has spoken often about the need for the Church to be a place of “listening, healing, and reconciliation.” Those words are not only timely — they are biblical. Jesus said, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.” (Matthew 5:9) As Christians, we are all called to that work — to be agents of peace in our families, our communities, and our church life, our work life and to play our part in the peace of the world, where possible. The Archbishop’s appointment reminds us that leadership in God’s kingdom always begins with service and humility. Gratitude and Prayer As November invites us into thanksgiving, we can give thanks for the new leadership God provides for His Church. Let us also hold Archbishop Mullally in prayer: That she may be guided by wisdom and grace; That she may be a bridge-builder in a divided world; That her leadership might draw people closer to Jesus, the true Shepherd of us all. And perhaps we might ask ourselves: how can we live out that same spirit of service in our own communities? Whether we are called to lead a parish, serve a neighbour, or simply pray faithfully, God delights in every small act of obedience done in His name. Our prayer for this time Lord of the Church, We thank You for calling Dame Sarah Mullally to serve as Archbishop of Canterbury. Bless her with courage, compassion, and wisdom. Strengthen Your whole Church to be one in faith, steadfast in hope, and rich in love. May Your Spirit guide us all as we follow Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. Amen. One piece of scripture that keeps coming back to me time and time again for this season as we head into the Christmas season, is, ‘I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me’ Philippians 4:13 and I offer it to you as a help with anything you may need help with. May God give you the strength you need at this time. Don’t forget I am your Priest in this place and I am happy to meet you for a chat, if that would be helpful for you. There are plenty of opportunities for us to come together as a community and I look forward to meeting you at one of these events advertised in this magazine. Every blessing Alison
