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'Listen to my voice' - Sunday 10am
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This Sunday, we reach the last Sunday of the Church's year and so we celebrate Christ the King. We will think about how Jesus' understanding of kingship and authority differs greatly from the world's - heard in the character of Pilate. The Gospel reading is John 18.33-37 if you would like to be thinking about it. One telling aspect of the difference is that Jesus came to make the truth known. Do we believe that? If we do, surely we need to learn to listen to his voice in everything.
There's just one service on Sunday morning - a service of the Word with Communion, at 10am.
Here is the order of service. You will only need to print/access this if you are joining by Zoom at 10am; copies will be supplied in church. And here, for those joining by Zoom only, are the hymn words.
Here also is this week's activity sheet.
As safe as possible ...
Please note that, although the wearing of face masks in church is no longer compulsory, we ask you to continue to wear one if at all possible.
Zoom Details for 10am
The Zoom link will be the usual one for Sunday services: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86563973122?pwd=SWtUY1pqNXJJdWFMSCtXc2hCTWhUdz09
Meeting ID: 865 6397 3122
Passcode: 613976
Please join from 9.45am.
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Changes in Church
You will be aware that various changes in church have been necessary in response to the pandemic; things like the forward altar (not only for ease of movement for those in church, but also for the Zoom audience), removing soft furnishings like the kneelers, changing the way Communion is administered, and quite a few other alterations.
In everything, the churchwardens, PCC and I have followed the published guidance, or, where there has been no guidance, as has been increasingly the case over the last few months, used our best judgement. That has been based on a number of factors, including collecting as much information as possible, from the congregation and as widely as possible. In church and via this newsletter, I have talked about the changes as they have happened and asked you to let the PCC have your comments and concerns.
With some recent comments and concerns in mind, just a word of reassurance on behalf of the PCC that there is no assumption that any of the changes will automatically become permanent. Some of them may, but that will only be through full communication and discussion. Some things - the forward altar, for example - would not be possible to make permanent, without a faculty (the Church's form of planning permission).
I'm really sorry if the fact that we are still working through a pandemic situation has not been clear. At times it's quite hard to know what's happening week by week. But please be assured that no permanent changes will be made without the right procedures being followed.
If you are in touch with people with these kinds of concerns, who haven't been able to return to church yet and/or do not receive this newsletter, then please pass this information on.
Thank you
Ruth
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Nov 28th, 10am, Advent Sunday with Lights of Love Opening Family Service (see below for more information)
Nov 28th, 3pm, Organ Recital (see poster below)
Dec 1st, weekly on Wednesdays at 10am, Advent Holy Communion (see below for more information)
Dec 3rd, 8pm, Combined Advent Service at The Friars
Dec 4th, 3pm, Brass Band Christmas Concert (see poster below)
Dec 5th, 3pm, A Service to Remember Those We Have Loved (more details next week)
Dec 17th, 7pm, Carols in the Square with Brass Band
Dec 19th, 10am, Christingle Service with Community Youth Choir
Dec 19th, 4pm, Carol Service
Christmas Eve, 3pm, Crib Service
Christmas Eve, 11.30pm, Midnight Communion (mulled wine from 11pm)
Christmas Day, 8am and 10am, Christmas Communion
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Prostate Cancer UK
Ian Packer is fundraising for this very worthy cause and would really appreciate your support.
You can donate through the JustGiving page by clicking here.
Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Once you donate, they'll send your money directly to PROSTATE CANCER UK, so it's the most efficient way to give - saving time and cutting costs for the charity.
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The photo above, taken in 2019, shows some of the trees ready for the stars to be added. Obviously Lights of Love, on the same scale, was not possible in 2020, although we did fill one tree with all the stars from 2019 (without asking for any money).
This year we are aiming to go ahead with it properly once again. Local organisations will be asked if they would like to sponsor a Christmas tree in church and for £5 the name of your loved one can be placed on a silver star and hung on one of the trees for the whole of the Christmas season. In this lovely way, the memory of those we have loved and lost will be part of Christmas. As before, half of whatever we raise will support the church and half will go to The Heart of Kent Hospice. In 2019 we raised approximately £1260 altogether!
It would be good to hang as many stars as possible by November 28th (Advent Sunday) which is when we'll have a Lights of Love Opening Family Service, but you will be able to add them all through December.
All the information about how to put a name on a star and make your donation is on this leaflet. Leaflets will also be available in church.
More information from Pam, Anita or me (Ruth).
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Midweek Communion in Advent
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On every Wednesday in Advent, starting on 1st December, we will hold a reflective Communion service at 10am, with coffee and chat afterwards.
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We will follow some Advent themes from 'Music of Eternity', the wonderful book by Robyn Wrigley-Carr, reflecting on the spirituality of Evelyn Underhill, who believed that God is always coming to us - not only in Advent! So how do we recognise him and make ourselves open to his loving presence?
This is the Archbishop of York's Advent Book for 2021. If you would like to buy a copy here's a link.
Very much looking forward to reinstating this lovely time in the middle of the week, and hoping that it will entice new faces as well as those who have missed it so much!
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Sing Christmas Carols in Eccles
Saturday 11th December starting at 6pm for an hour or so (the poster below says 5pm but we are singing from 6pm). We will meet in the Bull Lane layby. Parking may not be easy so car sharing would be good if possible.
We have been asked if we would lead some informal carol singing as we join in with the Eccles Christmas Light Up. As well as the 'light up' Christmas gifts are being given to the young and not so young members of the community. It would be lovely to be able to support this thoughtful gesture in this part of our parish. We have been invited to take round collection tins for the food bank at the same time. There will be mulled wine in Mackenders Close afterwards.
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A message from Ann Game ...
At last, I hope that we are going to get back to normal! I am therefore asking you if you would like to make a donation towards the flowers in church for Christmas. If you would, please let me have your donation by Sunday 12th December, and give to either Anita, at the office, or myself.
Thanking you.
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Brass Band Christmas Concert
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The Brass Band are back! This year's Christmas Concert will be in church on Saturday 4th December at 3pm. Tickets £10 from Aline (07771 636872). £1 for punch (non-alcoholic) and Aline's famous shortbread.
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