Dear Friends
A welcome visit
Charlotte and I were very pleased to host a recent visit from Eastwick School Year 4 children. They wanted to know more about the church, both the building and the faith that inspires Christian worship. It was a privilege to answer some of their questions and then to allow them the opportunity to explore all corners of the church. They participated with great enthusiasm and interest.
Increasing our capacity to take forward the mission of the church (Church Development Plan Priority 3)
The second Specific Action Point of Priority 3 of our Church Development Plan is “To grow the GLOW ministry team to be able to provide a group for older children.” Concerning progress to date, Charlotte Coe writes, “We’ve seen exciting growth in Glow recently, with new children and volunteers joining! Our goal is to continue growing so we can eventually split into two age-based groups. We’ve also introduced “zones,” which help manage age differences by letting children choose how to engage with the Bible for example: through craft, written reflection, or discussion. It’s been a great way to encourage one-to-one connections. If you’d like to join the Glow team, please contact me!”
Saturday morning options
On Saturday morning we are providing not one, but two options to be engaged in the work of the church. From 9.30am, we’d be so grateful for help with planting shrubs and clearing twigs in the churchyard. Between 10.00-11.00am in the Church Room, you are warmly invited to join our monthly prayer meeting to support the ongoing work of our Church Development Plan.
Come and hear Bruna Willing
Bruna Willing, Church Engagement Manger at Christian Solidarity Worldwide, will be the preacher at our 10 o’clock service this Sunday. We very much look forward to meeting Bruna and hearing from her. She will be accompanied by her four-year-old daughter, Sofia, who we also look forward to meeting. Given the change in our regular pattern of services in November due to Remembrance Sunday, our Morning Praise service this month will include a celebration of Holy Communion.
Remembering those we have loved
One of our biannual memorial services takes place this Sunday at 3.00pm. Lasting about 45 minutes, it provides an important space to remember a loved one and to light a candle in memory of them. Although we send a personalised invitation to those who have been bereaved in the past year, anyone is welcome to attend. We also provide refreshments afterwards in the Church Room for those who can stay behind.
Keeping up to date
Our weekly notice sheet is available online (click here) and in church. Our November magazine is also now available, both online (click here) and in church. We are also pleased to be able to provide a recording of the Bible readings, sermon and intercessions plus occasional special items from our 10 o'clock services; click here for access to last Sunday.
Last Minute News
We have been praying for Peter Lutton. He has just let us know that his trip to the Royal Brompton on Monday was brief and successful. He will still need to take things easy for a while, but remarkably has little or no discomfort. Meanwhile, we have also just heard that the Thanksgiving Service for the life of Sheila Staff will be at 2.00pm on Tuesday 25 November in St Nicolas.
And finally…
I appreciated the honesty and pragmatism of the following contribution from Br. Jack Crowley of the Society of St John the Evangelist: “We can spend the rest of our lives telling ourselves that as soon as that one problem is fixed, then we can really start living. To be a servant of God is to know that there are always going to be problems. The circumstances of our life are never going to be perfect. This is it. This is what we get. We are never going to be 100% ready for this.”
Wishing you much joy and peace.
Alan
Alan Jenkins
Rector
