This weekend’s Bible readings:

Psalm 8 (p 546) and Matthew 6:25-33 (p 971)

Please join us if you can for a picnic lunch after the 10.30 service. If the weather cheers up, we’ll migrate outside, but otherwise we’ll be in the church. Bring your food, but hot and cold drinks will be provided.

Harvest appeal:

This weekend, our collection at St Catherine’s will go towards our harvest appeal. If you’d rather give online, please use the reference ‘harvest’. This year, we are supporting the Robinsons’ efforts to raise enough money to purchase a minibus for their work at The Place of Grace, where they work with children from the slums of Bangkok. More information on their work can be found on our benefice website.

Sad news:

As most of you know by now, very sadly, our good friend and sister in Christ, Sarah Baker, died suddenly and unexpectedly last Saturday. She was on her own land, tending to her animals, and the manner of her death was as she had always wished it would be. Please pray for Mike, Helen and Hannah, and for all Sarah’s family and those who loved her as we all come to terms with this enormous shock.

Events coming up:

Lunchtime concerts 5th and 12th October:

The first lunchtime concert is next Saturday, 5th October in St Mary’s. A soup and cheese lunch will be available from 12 and after the concert, which will take place at 12.30.

The concerts this year are:

5th October A10 Strings, directed by David Boarder

12th October Rib Singers, directed by David Ranford

What’s been happening recently:

Choral workshop last weekend:

Last Saturday, 50 choristers gathered in St Mary’s for a workshop led by composer Philip Stopford, culminating in a sing-through to friends and family who came along at the end of the day to listen. The day was not only enjoyable but informative, as Philip shared anecdotes about how some of the pieces our benefice choir sings regularly came to be composed. Thank you to all the support team who helped make sure the day (with its many tea and coffee breaks!) ran smoothly. Especial thanks to Michael, who organised the day and invited Philip. As ever, our hospitality was complimented by our visitors.

Services for the next few weeks:

Midweek services each week:

Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine's

Wednesdays, 9.30am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary's

Sunday services:

29th September 10.30am Harvest morning worship, St Catherine's

6th October 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Harvest morning worship, All Saints

13th October 10.30am Holy communion, St Mary's

20th October 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Holy communion, All Saints

27th October 10.30am All age worship, St Mary's

6.00pm Choral Evensong, St Mary's

3rd November 8.00am Holy communion, St Mary's

10.30am Morning worship, All Saints