#297: Deja vu all over again
Hello again! There is definitely a sense of storm clouds gathering at the moment, isn’t there? But we are in a much better position than we were a year ago and we know the score now. Obviously, Standing Committee are closely following the advice we are getting from Government, Church and Diocese- at the moment everything is going ahead as advertised but we will let you know if anything changes at all. I suspect it is going to be a difficult call again, as it was last year- the key thing is that everyone does what they are comfortable with.
Also, if anyone hasn’t gone along for their vaccines or boosters yet and would like to talk that through and be encouraged to go then do please speak to Cara or Richard or anyone else, really, about it.
All of the main services will be livestreamed and the key thing in all of this is to make sure that we are caring for and supporting everyone.
- if you need help accessing the Livestream or the service orders please speak to Louise in the Office.
- If you would like someone to ring you regularly please let the Rector know.
- if you are not going to be able to get to Church over the next weeks but would like Communion at home please let Richard know that too.
Above all, whatever the next weeks bring, let’s keep supporting each other and praying for each other and travelling together- one people, one Church, one pilgrimage into the heart of the one God.
Coming Soon
In the morning on Sunday there are services at 9.30, 10 and 11 (the first two are Livestreamed). Then, in the afternoon, there is the First Steps Crib Service which is aimed mostly for those under 5- do please turn up dressed for Bethlehem, whether you are a child or an adult. Then it is Nine Lessons at 6.15pm. The draft Order of Service is uploaded here for those who would rather join in from home, or are obliged to join in from home:
The link is here: 9 Lessons and Carols (19/12/2021) – YouTube
And then, on Tuesday, we have Pure Christmas– a reflective and moving service which takes us straight to the manger and is designed especially for those who need space this week, or who will find Christmas especially hard this time round.
All of the other services are available here:
Volunteers Needed
Church Cleaning for Christmas is happening on Monday the 20th of December at 10am- do please come along if you are free because there is plenty to do after the last few years have made it so hard to gather to clean.
We have an ace team in place to help with the 3pm Crib Service on Christmas Eve but would still like a couple of extra helpers with that, and also with the 5pm Service. Do please let Louise know if you can help.
Bits and Bobs
Here is the sermon from Sunday at St Paul’s and St Nick’s uploaded for anyone who would like to read it again- or you could always just get out your popcorn and watch it on YouTube.
Here is a quite challenging and uncomfortable pair of articles by Martyn Percy on the Church and the calling of the Church:
Susanna Allen has sent in this fun Carol Quiz for everyone to enjoy- why not work through with a friend over the phone or over coffee?
And Liz Gallagher has sent this joke in to Bertie, who has not stopped laughing since. I don’t think it’s quite as funny as he does but Bertie always likes it when he is the star of the story:
What do angry mice send to each other at this time of year? Cross mouse cards!
Lucky Numbers Update (and revealing the unlucky numbers too)
The December draw took place in the Vestry at St Paul’s before Mass on Sunday 12 December.
The lucky winners were:-
£50 No. 11 Liz Shilham
£25 No. 24 Jean Vaughan
£15 No. 52 Roy and Beth Holmes
£10 No. 65 Diana Tuck
The Draw is a simple way of raising funds for repairs and renewals to the church building. One share (number) costs £24 per year and the draw takes place monthly (either at St Nicholas’s or St Paul’s) for prizes of £50, £25, £15 and £10. All remaining funds go to the Restoration Fund.
Renewal invitations for those that subscribe annually by cash or cheque will be posted out at the end of December
And finally…
… this is what Bertie was saying exactly 12 months ago today…
Bertie, here- I am trying to keep you all up to date with what is happening in the world but it is really hard to keep up with all of the changes- Schools can close if they need to until they can’t, Brexit negotiations are definitely ending on Sunday until they are extended, it is definitely three bubbles together for Christmas Day until that is reviewed- at least the news I get handed to me in the parish is reliable and doesn’t change… oh, hold on… fresh off the banda printer…
