Today, July 31, we welcomed the Rev Martin Saunders back to lead our worship for the 7th Sunday after Trinity.As part of the service we tried out 'intinction' where the communion wafer was dipped into the communion wine before being administered. Members of the congregation were given a choice about whether to receive in this way. This is a tiny step on what we hope is the road back to normal giving and taking of communion.In other news, the gardening team meets as usual on Monday morning but the Friday coffee shop is taking a month-long break, returning in September.On Thursday, August 4, we will have our monthly service of Morning Prayer in church at 9.45.We continue to draw up plans for social and fund-raising events, which will be advertised nearer the time.
We held our regular Eucharist for the sixth Sunday after Trinity and members of the congregation stayed afterwards to enjoy refreshments.Looking ahead, the PCC met this week and discussed a number of ways in which we can raise funds to support the church while socialising with our community.Monthly bingo sessions are being considered, and we are also planning a Harvest Lunch, a Race Night and a Table Top sale in the run-up to Christmas. More details soon!
Today's service for the Fifth Sunday after Trinity was Morning Prayer, a communal effort involving the lay officials and congregation. The service was led by the churchwarden and the pastoral assistant, our lay reader gave a sermon, one member of the congregation gave the Old Testament reading, another member provided the intercessions and the choir led the hymns.Refreshments were enjoyed by all afterwards.Next Sunday we will have a service of communion.Events this week include the regular gardening session on Monday morning and the Friday coffee morning in the hall.People have also been invited to attend a Mothers Union service at St Mary's Church, Whickham, on Thursday afternoon, which is being conducted by an African bishop as he and his wife journey through the region to the Lambeth Conference. The service is at 2pm.
We were back in church for the fourth Sunday after Trinity, with a communion by extension service conducted by our reader Jill Nattrass.This is another example of how we are continuing to offer worship at St James in spite of currently being without a vicar. Next Sunday our service will be one of Morning Prayer.Also this week, the gardening team meets as usual on Monday at 10am and the regular coffee morning is on Friday in the hall 10.30-12noon.This week will also be marked by the funeral on Thursday in church of Richard (known as Dick) Bell, a longstanding member of St James. We continue to hold his family in our prayers.
