St Mary's News and Updates 26/11/2021

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26 NOVEMBER 2021

Advent is here and we begin again the wonderful journey to the birth of Jesus Christ.

In a world which is so full of conflict and uncertainty - it is so important to celebrate that God has hope and a future for all people and His own created world.

Our theme for this Christmas is 'Certain Hope' - each of the different opportunities of Christmas at SMB will have the message that we can know 'Certain Hope' in Jesus.

Who will you invite both in person or on-line to hear and receive this 'Certain Hope'?

Rev David McDougall
Rector of St Mary's Bletchley

Details of our Christmas Services will be announced during this week's service. An email with more information and how we can support our Community at Christmas will be sent early next week.

For more information on the Living in Love and Faith Course, click on the image
Booking details will be advertised soon.

GET IN TOUCH

For any pastoral issues please contact our Pastoral Team on 07434 984909

OUR SERVICES

SUNDAY 28 NOVEMBER

10am - Morning Worship Service
Join us in person in the St Mary's Bletchley building, or tune in online by clicking here.

6pm - Holy Toast
Holy Toast meets in St Mary's Community Centre (Conway Crescent, MK3 6AR). We meet together, share a simple meal, and explore where God wants to take us. Everyone welcome.

7pm - Worship Evening
An evening of sung worship in the church building

WEDNESDAY 01 DECEMBER

10am - Communion Service
Our weekly Communion Service is held in the church building each Wednesday.

If you attend a service and have young children, there is a designated spot for you in the church building, which has been set up with extra legroom and a play and dance area for the children. If you aren't able to find it please ask the welcome team at the door and they will direct you.

We are live streaming our Sunday morning 10am service on our YouTube Channel which you can find here.
The link will also be shared on our Facebook page.
Please subscribe and click notifications to be notified about future services and videos on our YouTube Channel.

MAKE A DIFFERENCE

St Mary's depends on your generosity to make all we do possible. From helping our local community to helping mission partners around the world; to running groups for children to hosting a group for our older people to meet together - none of it would be possible without your kindness.

The most cost-effective way to make your offering is through our Parish Giving Scheme, but one-off donations can also be made online or in person. To find out more please click here or email nicky.whitmore@stmarysbletchley.org

St Mary's Parish Giving Scheme: You can scan this QR code to set up or amend your regular giving with the Parish Giving Scheme.

Click on the image to get started with easyfundraising

This week is an All In Service. Please watch the service online if you are unable to join us in person.

In the lead up to Christmas we will be sharing how we can all make Christmas more eco-friendly.

Shop locally for your gifts. Look for local producers at Home - Love Local Hub or Gorgeous Gifts MK | Facebook to support craftspeople and gift makers in our own town and reduce the environmental impact of your purchases.

In-depth article: An Eco-friendly Christmas

IMPORTANT NOTICES

DONATE YOUR PRELOVED TOYS
Please consider donating any preloved, clean, good condition toys which can then be used help others at Christmas. Drop them off at St Mary's Community Centre on Saturday 27th November between 12pm and 5pm.
These will be then offered to families who attend the Saturday Surplus Café on Saturday 4th December to bless others at Christmas.
For more information email maryann.brooks@stmarysbletchley.org.

Our Worship Evening is an opportunity to come together and sing praise to God.
No need to book.

Do you have the necessary skills and passion to help us with successful grant applications?
Here at St Mary's we feel led to undertake some big projects that will improve the services we can provide to the Church family, our local community and the wider city. In order to do this, we want to establish a Grant Finding and Fundraising Committee. Do you have experience in applying for grant funding, putting bids and proposals together, or similar? If so, we need you.

Please contact Nicky.whitmore@stmarysbletchley.org if you are interested or would like more information.

ADVENT BIBLE STUDY - Let's journey towards Christmas together.
For Lent this year, many members of St Mary's did a Bible study together through the YouVersion App. Darrel has organised another study for us to do during Advent. You can register and join in by clicking the link:https://bible.com/p/46736932/c61f08afe144fed4ffe22db7da154f78
For more information or to download the YouVersion App go to https://youversion.com/the-bible-app/

NEWS FROM OUR PARTNERS
Click one of the links below for more information.

St Frideswide's Water Eaton: Congregational Development & Community Organiser Vacancy

MK Moneylifeline: IT volunteers wanted

MK Chorale perform The Messiah (05/12/2021)

Grieving? Gentlespaces might be for you...

MK Moneylifeline: Free confidential and impartial debt advice

St Joseph's, Newton Leys, is the pioneer church linked to St Mary's in our parish. It is headed by Rev Ben Thorpe. You can follow what they are doing on Facebook here.

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The Church Office is usually open 9am to 12 noon, Monday to Friday.
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