Thoughts from The Vicarage with messages, Good news and dates
Friday Greetings – a little later due to a very full Thursday! We’re looking ahead to Safeguarding Sunday this weekend. Thank you to all the team who contributed to a wonderful Remembrance Sunday last week – there was a great deal of warmth and appreciation from many of those who came along.
We mark Safeguarding Sunday to remember our shared responsibility to watch over one another and ensure that all of us, especially the most vulnerable amongst us, can enjoy the fullness of life that Jesus came to give us. We safeguard one another in response to and in imitation of God, who watches over us in love continually. We know that thinking about safeguarding in our service might produce difficult memories or feelings for some. If this is your experience on Sunday, please speak to either myself or Christine, and we will gladly listen to you and, if you would find it helpful, pray for you.
News from St Michael’s PCC – Firstly we’re pleased to announce that Jesse Jenkins has been appointed as our re Treasurer following the resignation of Ian Courtney. Please give Jesse a warm welcome to this role – it is great to have him on board. You may know Jesse and Anne-Marie as the parents of Cecily and Bertie – trainee servers!
We thank Ian for his excellent financial control and the setting up our computerised accounting system. We wish Ian and his family well as they settle into Wantage life and thank him for his 3 years of service to the Church. We are especially grateful for his generosity in time with the transitioning smoothly to Jesse.
The roof repairs are in hand thanks to Church Warden Ruth and team who are negotiating faculties and liaising with our new architect Christian Randall. We are also managing the leaf removal from the Lady Chapel roof which obstructs the drainage of water which then comes through the roof – it has been a 5 bucket inundation this year!
If you feel you’d like to help support any of this work or the work of the church more generally please see the leaflets in church and attached today about the Parish Giving Scheme – it’s quick easy and simple to set up.
Finally, I’m pleased to let you know that Doug has volunteered to put a toe in the water as a Deputy Church Warden – a great addition to the team. If you’ve noticed that you can hear what’s going on more clearly recently, or noticed the memorial garden, or looked up at the vaulting lit above the choir stalls – that is all thanks to Doug !
Messages: from Christine re Advent course of which I wrote last week: please contact her venchrisallsopp@gmail.com or 07801 096345 if you’d like to join in.
And from Jill Cawte following the funeral of Martin last week;
Dear Revd Julie,
Thank you so much for coming to Martin’s funeral on Friday. It was a great support to have you and Christine and others from Lambourn, Eastbury and East Garston with us at the service. Martin greatly enjoyed his work in Lambourn, Eastbury and East Garston, and I’m sure he would be delighted that you and Christine and others from the Lambourn Valley were able to be there on Friday. Please pass thanks from myself, Alexis and Richard to everyone who was able to come and to everyone who has prayed for Martin and our family. We would still appreciate your prayers.
With many thanks
Love Jill and family
Finally a prayer:
God of refuge and strength,
you shelter the weary and give courage to the fearful.
Spread your wings over your Church,
that it may be a safe home for all your children.
Bless those who watch and care, listen and protect.
And when we face the darkness,
keep us steadfast in your faithful love,
through Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd.
Amen.
God bless
Julie
Diary Dates
- November 16th – Safeguarding Sunday
- November 30th – Advent Sunday
- December 14th 5pm – Carols & Christingles St James
- December 14th 6pm – Carol Service All Saints
- December 16th 6.30 – Jingle & Mingle St Michael & All Angels
- December 19th 3pm – Dress up Nativity service St Michael & All Angels
- December 21st 6pm – Carol Service St Michael & All Angels
- December 24th 4pm – Crib service St James
- December 24th 4pm – Christingle St Michael & All Angels
- December 24th 11pm – Midnight Mass St Michael & All Angels
- December 25th 9am – Christmas Day Communion All Saints
- December 25th 10.30am – Christmas Day Communion St James
- December 25th 10.30am – Christmas Day Communion St Michael & All Angels
- December 28th 10.30 – Holy Innocents Day Holy Communion (said) St Michael & All Angels