Stepping into Autumn: e-newsletter

Our calling is to share the loving hospitality of God,
seeing Christ in friend and stranger.

Stepping into Autumn

Do you like to keep up to date with what's going on? Wish you'd been told about events before it was too late? Would you like to get involved? Then this email should help.
If you have any questions or suggestions please email:
stmarystokenewington@btinternet.com

What's new ?

At the end of July we said farewell to Iwan, one of our Co-Directors of Music. He’s leaving us to take up a post with a theatre company in Salzburg. Good luck Iwan and thanks for all you have brought to St Mary’s over the last 3 years.

The New St Mary's Centre

stmaryn16.org

In July we welcomed pilgrims from Lebombo, Mozambique. They shared supper with us and Bishop Carlos blessed our Epiphany Chapel; then on the Sunday morning they brought us music, song and word from their home country.

We are working hard to raise money for the new St Mary’s Centre.

Thank you to all who have joined our ‘Days Wage Initiative’ in September. And if you haven’t joined, there’s still time! We ask you to donate a day of your annual income in September, to the new build. Please see St Mary’s website for details on how to give.

Thank you to all who have already made donations.

Having now gathered all the feedback from the local community and our own faith community, we are looking to submit our planning application to Hackney Council in early Autumn.

On August 27th we served Cream Teas on the lawns of St Mary's. Huge THANK YOU to everyone who donated their time and effort to make the day successful. As you know this was once again to raise awareness about the new St Mary's Centre. We managed to raise £400 for the new build. Thank you once again.

Special Services coming up at St Marys:

St Mary’s Patronal Festival will be celebrated on Sunday, September 10th, 10.30 am in the New Church. A chance for all our congregations to come together and remember the woman to whom our churches are dedicated.

Our Harvest Festival will be celebrated on Sunday, October 1st at 10.30am
in the New Church.

There will be perishable produce and Palestinian Olive oil on sale afterwards, so do bring extra cash.

What else is happening?

Study groups begin this Autumn:

September sees the beginning of the ‘Exploring Christian Faith’ group, designed for those new to the faith and those seeking to be confirmed. The confirmation service will be at St Paul’s Cathedral, on Saturday, 4th November at 5pm.

Ever wondered what sort of prayer best suits you? Come and discover a variety of different ways of praying at our Advent Prayer Day - to be held on Saturday, December 9th at the Royal Foundation of St Katherine, Limehouse. More details to follow.

‘Words of life and love: spirituality and scripture’. To be held monthly on a Monday evening, beginning in September. If you want to find out more, contact Liz Watson on:

lizmeditates@gmail.com

Passionate about peace-making? several events coming up:

Join the demo against the Arms Fair, held outside the Excel Centre on Saturday, September 9th. Be part of the peaceful presence against military equipment and vehicles being rolled into the Arms Fair.

We will be leaving St Mary’s at 11am or meet at 11.20 at Canonbury station.

30th September 2017: Kite-making and Kite-flying. Have a look on the website for more information:
http://www.stokenewingtonquakers.org.uk/flykitesnotbombs/

14th October 2017: Memorial Peace Walk. 11am, Albion Parade - Hackney West Recreation Ground.

Seeking Soul Space:
a series of autumn and winter workshops run by St Mary’s at the Old Church encouraging you to de-clutter and re-focus.

'Seeking Soul Space' Event List

Dilly is considering taking a group to South India in early 2018. It will be an opportunity to learn more about the history and music of the church of South India, and to enjoy the beauty and hospitality of this amazing country. If you might be interested please contact her as soon as you can. Deadline for places is September 15th.

The Foodbank needs re-stocking urgently:

Donations for this can be placed in the large plastic box, under the table in the big church.
The church is open every day.
Please see the list on the notice board for items needed.

Hackney Winter Night Shelter

'It's not yet the end of summer, but we are starting to plan for St Mary's participation in running the Hackney Winter Night Shelter again. As usual, we will be running the Shelter each Wednesday evening from January to March. We will soon start recruiting volunteers: we need people who can help to set things up, welcome our guests, cook and serve supper, stay overnight, provide breakfast and clear up in the morning.

If you cannot volunteer but would like to help in other ways, we need:
New underwear and socks (for both men and women, in a range of sizes)
Warm hats, scarves and gloves
Small quantities of good quality second-hand clothes, especially jumpers and coats - medium to large adult sizes.
Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrushes, shampoo, soap, in small sizes that people can take away.

If you would like to volunteer or have any other questions, please get in touch with our Coordinator, Jonathan Gebbie (jonathan.gebbie@hwns.org.uk).
To find out more about how Hackney Winter Night Shelter operates, have a look at our web site www.hwns.org.uk.'

Jonathan Gebbie
Coordinator

Please join the Old Church team at our first Think In to
share ideas for the future of this unique venue

Everyone welcome

Free tea, coffee and nibbles
Bar open
Website: www.theoldchurch.org.uk

Copyright © 2017 St Mary's Stoke Newington, All rights reserved.

Our mailing address is:
St Mary's
Stoke Newington
Church Street
N16 9ES

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St Mary, Stoke Newington · Stoke Newington Church Street · London, N16 9ES · United Kingdom