Dear brothers and sisters

This is a long email Update. As things are getting going again, there is a lot to tell you about and as things evolve, it seems that this medium can replace the weekly notice sheet we had pre-covid. We can make a few copies available on Sunday for those not on the email list. If you do use email, please manage your subscription via mailchimp by clicking the link on www.stnicholasbathampton.org.uk. If you like to stick your noticesheet on the fridge, click here for a 2-page printable version of this email. If you prefer things on a screen only, you won’t miss out by simply scrolling down – but do make sure you refer back to this for the many diary dates.

We had a lovely time at the “Back Together” Book of Common Prayer evening service on Sunday and over tea in the Miller Room. PCC meets on 11^th November so is yet to make a decision about the future pattern of services but it seems that there might be demand for a service along these lines, perhaps monthly. With a strong team of available preachers, we should now be able to have a special sermon rather than repeating the one from the morning series, which will make it more of an extra, rather than an alternative, to the main 10.45 service. Please do give me your views on this and especially on timing. Of course the time will not be everybody’s first choice but the idea of belonging to a church is that we consider the needs of others and not just our own convenience or preference. From what I have heard so far, there are some people who can’t come in the morning or evening, and there are people for whom the afternoon is inconvenient. And caring particularly for older members, the winter particularly is a time when coming out at night feels less safe.

Sunday 10^th October: HARVEST FESTIVAL 10.15am coffee by the canal; 10.45am Harvest service with Junior Church; after church quality hot dogs served in the Miller Room in a covid-aware way. Donations will be received in the service for Bath Foodbank, who are welcoming Harvest donations of the specific items listed here. The readings are Psalm 19 and Matthew 7:7-12 as we think about God’s good gifts.
 

Foodbank Needed items: Tomato Pasta Sauce (Jars) Custard (Tinned) Long Life Juice Tomatoes (Tinned) Tea Bags Rice Pudding (Tinned) Fruit (Tinned)

Thursday 7^th October: CHURCH PRAYER MEETING 7.30pm Miller Room. If you consider yourself a member of the church, please come along and pray together.
Monday 11^th October: Arthur Phillip Service 11.00am. All are welcome to this annual commemoration of the founder of modern Australia who is buried in St Nick’s and a significant figure in our heritage, together with Year 5 and 6 pupils from Bathampton Primary School, members of the Britain-Australia Society, and the High Commissioner for Australia. Coffee is served in the Miller Room at 10.15am.
Monday 11^th October: Reading Training Workshop with James Cary 7.30pm in church. 20 people have signed up with Hilary (whose official work day is Tuesday) for this; if you haven’t but would be interested in coming – whether or not you are already on the reading rota for services – contact Jonty.
Wednesday 13^th October: Living in Love and Faith 7.30pm Miller Room. The new dates are:
This course aims to help Christians think more deeply about what it means to be human.
It provides a structured and accessible way for local groups to engage in and reflect on Living in Love and Faith, a major exploration of Christian teaching and learning about identity, sexuality, relationships and marriage.
The five sessions of the course each address a key question:

• 13^th October What does it mean to learn together as followers of Jesus Christ?
• 10^th November How does our identity in Christ relate to sex and gender?
• 24^th November What kinds of relationships does God call us to?
• 8^th December Where do our bodies and sex fit in to all of this?
• 12^th January How do diversity and difference affect our life together as a church?

This course is very different from what we would normally do at St Nick’s. It sets out both the teaching of the church and Bible, and the views of those who disagree with that teaching. Whether or not we are already clear in our thinking we will need to listen carefully, respectfully and gently to one another recognising that people come from unique positions of pain and varying experience of God’s grace. Please book a place on the course by emailing Jonty Frith rector@stnicholasbathampton.org.uk  .
Wednesday 20^th October Memorial service for those of our number who have died since February 2020 3.00pm in church. Coming back into church we are conscious of those we love and miss, who are no longer with us. In normal times we might have attended their funerals but this has been affected by the pandemic and we may have missed that opportunity for one or more of these dear people. In this service we will focus briefly on each one and thank God as we remember their lives and what they meant to us. More details – including the names of those we are remembering – to follow next week.
Sunday 31^st October Christmas Windows Family Workshop with Jilly Bryant, 3-5pm in the Miller Room. People of all ages will be working together to make a “stained-glass” Nativity display to go in the long glass corridor of the Extension entrance, as part of the Bathampton Christmas Windows 2021 project (see also below for more about home windows). Admission free!
Sunday 31^st October Teaching Service on Attraction & Desire at St Michael’s Twerton 7.30pm with Sean Doherty. This is linked to the Living in Love and Faith project. “As well as being part of the 'Living Out' group and Principal at Trinity College Bristol, Sean is a total legend and a great speaker.…” St Michael’s are inviting other churches in the Deanery to come to their teaching service, which will include sung worship in a more “charismatic / NewWine” style, which most of us will enjoy but may be towards the edge of the comfort zone of those who prefer things formal and traditional! There is no booking for this – just turn up if you can. Like our services, it will also be available live on Zoom. Ask Jonty for the link.
Tuesday 2^nd November Christmas Windows masterclass 8pm-9.30pm with Jilly Bryant, who has a degree in stained glass. Learn some skills and get started on your own window project for Bathampton Christmas Windows in December. Do you know someone in Bathampton who enjoys learning craft skills? Bring them along for a social time with people from church. £5.00

I hope to see you this evening