#484 Exciting week for the Parish

After a busy few days scurrying around to catch up on all the latest gossip, sorry I mean latest information, I have to say I am looking forward to the big day tomorrow (Thursday 28th August). That will be when I can enjoy an absolute feast in the evening. There is a service earlier at 7:30, but after that the Social Committee have prepared a drink and nibbles banquet. Well for you it is more just ‘light refreshments’, but when you nibble you scatter crumbs which I am more than ready to collect up and dispose of. When I asked my source in the Social Committee, she said that it would definitely be more than just crisps and a few biscuits. More like a collation of tasty savoury and sweet snacks. Her only concern was that people would not stay after the service to enjoy it (Not a concern for me. I will always help with any left-overs!). By the way, I am reliably informed that the service will be an ‘Institution, Induction and Installation’ for Fr Sam and Licensing for Cara. The service will be led by Bishop Mary,the Bishop of Reading, who kindly visited us a couple of weeks ago to take a Sunday service at St Paul’s.

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Upcoming Services

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Lucky Numbers

The Lucky Numbers draw for June took place over coffee after the 11:00 a.m. Communion service at St Nicholas on Sunday 24^th August 2025.

Congratulations to the lucky winners:

• £50     No. 44   David and Lesley Ruddock
• £25     No. 59   Petra Johnstone
• £15     No. 63   Peter Baker
• £10     No. 90  David and Janet Charlton

As you may know, Lucky Numbers is a monthly draw which was launched in 1997 under the title Spire 2000. Each share in the draw costs £2.00 per month and the total number of shares is unlimited, so you can apply for as many as you wish. Should you wish to take part, supporting our parish church fund for restoration and renewals work on St Paul’s church building and enjoying the chance of being a winner, please contact Tony Roberts or Liz Gallagher at St Nicholas, Emmbrook or Mary Cassidy at St Paul’s.

Note: Mary is looking for a volunteer to take over as St Paul’s representative. It is not an onerous task, as the draw alternates between St Nicholas’ and St Paul’s, and currently Tony takes care of the renewals and reminders. If you think this is something you could take on, do have a chat with Mary. Thank you.

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USPG Update from the Diocese of Jerusalem

Al Ahli Hospital is under fire again, with more lives lost. 🚨 At this time we pray for all of those affected by this crisis that continues. Dear Friends of USPG, Every time I write, I hope to bring you a positive update or some sign of hope, some evidence of the healing your support has made possible. But today, I must sadly share something far more painful. In the early hours of Sunday morning, an Israeli airstrike struck the courtyard of Al Ahli Arab Hospital in Gaza, killing seven people. Just hours earlier, armed groups had stormed the hospital grounds, twice, setting fire to buildings and drawing further violence to the site. Sawson Aranki Botato, Director of Programmes for the Diocese of Jerusalem, told us: “We are saddened and still shocked. Yesterday (Sunday 17th August)  at around 2am, an Israeli airstrike struck the courtyard of Al Ahli hospital, resulting in the tragic loss of 7 people. No injuries or fatalities have been reported amongst our staff and patients. Our medical team provided life saving treatment to those wounded in the attack, who remain admitted to our inpatient department and under care at the hospital.” USPG Website

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Season of Creation Service

Joint service between the two dioceses of Oxford and Växjö:

Click on the image or here to register for the online service