THIS SUNDAY - 4th December
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CHILDREN & YOUTH GROUPS
GEMS & PEBBLES
Children’s groups will not be on Sunday as it is an All Age Service.
SUMMIT | 6.30pm | Old Vicarage
Summit will meet as usual.
More details about Youth
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Home Groups
Throughout the week
Joining a home group is a brilliant chance to meet and pray with others, build relationships, support one another, exchange views and explore God's word together. Take a look at the groups and sign up here or contact the office. |
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Standing in the Gap (Prayer meeting)
Saturdays | 7 - 8am | Online
On Zoom, join us online here.
[Meeting ID: 223 851 1807 | Passcode: inthegap]
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Open Church
Tuesday | 10am - 12pm | Church
Come along for a chat, fellowship or private prayer. Refreshments will be served.
If you are interested in volunteering please contact Dammy via admin@stmarksgillingham.org. |
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Parent & Toddlers
Wednesdays / 1.15-2.45pm / Vicarage Hall
Fun space for children to play and for parents/guardians to connect. No need to book, just drop up. Wednesdays in term time.
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The Gathering
Join the Junction Small Group for an intimate time with God and the Bible in the Old Vicarage on Wednesday evenings at 7.30 pm, on 2nd and 4th Wednesdays in the month.
All welcome.
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Dementia Cafe
14th and 28th December |1pm to 3pm | Church
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Peace and Hope
3rd December, 10:30am, Vicarage Hall
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Ladies Group
Meet at the Old Vicarage from 10am – 12 noon each Wednesday.
Last Wednesday of the month men are very welcome to join.
We are currently studying the book of Joseph.
Tea/coffee, biscuits and cakes are served.
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News and Important Information
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Empty Chair Service
Sunday, 11 December 2022 – St Mark’s Church – 3 p.m.
A service aiming to bring comfort and strength primarily for those missing a loved one this Christmas.
Singing of seasonal songs, a Bible reading with a message of encouragement, prayers and lighting of a candle in memory of the one(s) you loved, cherished and miss set within a time of reflection.
Other types of bereavement will also be acknowledged such as a broken relationship, loss of a job or career, irreversible detrimental changes in life’s circumstances, permanent loss of health.
A listening ear and prayer will be available for those who wish to receive it.
Light refreshments will also be available after the service.
Please make it known to your neighbours, friends, work colleagues.
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Medway Open Lecture Series 2022/23
A collaboration between Kent, Greenwich and Canterbury Christ Church universities.
Lectures open to the public, as well as staff and students.
These will generally be one lecture on the last Wednesday of the month from 6-7pm, delivered in the Pilkington Lecture Theatre.
The first four lectures have been confirmed and you can book a free ticket here: BOOK
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Notice of a loss and a funeral
Margaret Howlett, sadly passed away, peacefully on Wednesday 23rd November.
The funeral will be in the West Chapel at Medway Crematorium at 9.30am on Thursday 8th December. All those that knew her are welcome and Margaret wanted people to wear colourful clothes where possible.
This will be followed by a very informal gathering at Anchorians Clubhouse in Darland Avenue, Gillingham to remember Margaret and also her husband David, who passed away in 2020 during Covid, which meant there was a very restricted gathering allowed to remember him. Please could those who will be attending Anchorians let their son, Neil Howlett, know by confirming with him by email on nttz1968@gmail.com.
Family flowers only please, if folk wish to please could they make a donation to Cancer Research in Margaret’s name.
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PLEASE PRAY –
Worldwide –
- The people of Ischia, near Naples, may they be enabled in their search for the lost, healings come and helps in recovery.
- Java earthquake, Indonesia where so many have died, been injured as well as vast numbers displaced: May their many needs be met with generosity.
- For the people of China in their plight of continued lockdowns against Covid-19 and safety in peaceful protest.
- 2nd Dec Abolition of Slavery Day – observed by the nations worldwide to raise awareness against human trafficking and the exploitation of humans in any different form.
- Child slavery and ‘modern day slavery’ affects the world, our country, and even our own communities. The UK –
- for our nations to turn to God this Advent. For new, selfless leaders to be raised up to serve community, country and the UK.
God’s Church –
- For the different groups that meet across St Mark’s and SMIC, leaders, helpers and members;
- for our outreach and services this Advent. Let us - invite others to join us, and pray.
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If you would like to be added to the Prayer & Praise email list to receive weekly praise reports and prayer requests from our church family please contact Kath Burtrand: kathyb.nana@yahoo.co.uk
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STAMPS FOR LEPROSY MISSION
David Norton has asked that people collect stamps from any letters they receive. If you could keep them until you have a few and then give them to David, he will pass these to the Leprosy Mission.
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OPEN CHURCH/WARM SPACE
Tuesdays between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm
We are all aware of the rising energy costs and we would like to offer a place where people can come to be warm.
We are looking for people who are willing to volunteer on Tuesday mornings to man the church. This will enable us to open to offer a Warm Space for people to come where we will serve tea, coffee and or cup of soup. If you are available any time between 10.00 am and 2.00 pm on Tuesdays and would be willing to help on a rota basis please get in touch with the church office.
Other churches in Gillingham are opening on other days in the week, and once we have volunteers we will be included on a flyer which will show details of all available Warm Spaces.
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WARM CLOTHING
Do you own any good quality warm clothing, coats, hats, scarves, gloves, blankets etc that you no longer need. Please donate these to Street Angles to help those who need these to keep them warm.
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Next Sunday
11th December, 10.30am, Church
Title: Third Sunday of Advent
Speaker: Catharina Olsson Gisleskog
Reading: Matthew 11:2-11 Love - John the Baptist
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Bible Stream
Sunday 11 December 6.30pm
Graham Wilkins will be teaching on Malachi and Obadiah; David Wilkins will be Mc'ing.
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HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK
Thank you for the week
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Thank you for those who have and are still putting up the Christmas decorations in the church.
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