People who come to St James Alperton are from a wide range of cultures. We believe strongly each culture is of equal value, so we regularly hold events to celebrate different cultural traditions. Last Sunday was the turn of our vicar Rev Ali Taylor to tell us about the Irish tradition of making St Bridget's crosses. Rev Ali comes from Northern Ireland. Rev Ali talked about St Bridget and why the Irish celebrate St Bridget's day, while showing us how to make crosses. The crosses were originally made of straw, however as straw isn't readily available locally, we used flattened paper straws. Who was Saint Brigid and how do the Irish celebrate Saint Brigid's Day? | The Irish Post
Over the past year, a small group of people have been meeting together once a month after the main church service to knit. This was set up as one way of getting to know each other in an informal and non threatening way. We call these groups "Greenhouse Pots" as it is a way for our community to grow. The knitting group has been particularly successful and we are now knitting squares for the Framework Knitters who distribute these to various charities. All are welcome and it is free. If you knit or would like to learn to knit, you are more than welcome to join us! We can provide needles and wool, so just bring yourself!
The ceremony will form part of St James intercultural service which starts at 10.30am. The ceremony will be held outside at 10.50am. You are welcome to join us for the whole service or to join us outside for the ceremony. Light refreshments will be served from 10am to 10.25 am and then immediately after the service finishes. ___________________________________________________________________________Below is some information on Remembrance day and why it is important to people in the UK. Remembrance Day, also known as Armistice Day, commemorates the end of World War One when an agreement to stop fighting was reached on the 11th hour, of the 11th day, of the 11th month in 1918. It is held to remember all those who have died in wars and marked by a two-minute silence at 11:00am. Remembrance Sunday is the nearest Sunday to November 11th, when ceremonies are held in the United Kingdom and other Commonwealth nations and commemorates both World War One and Two and all conflicts since. Poppy flowers are worn as a symbol of remembrance, inspired by the poppies that grew on many battlefields in WW1 - as made famous by the war poem 'In Flanders Fields.' A two-minute silence will be observed at 11:00am on Remembrance Sunday.
Windows were cleaned, blue tack removed from walls, the grounds swept, tables dismantled amongst other fairly mundane tasks. "It was fun to work together and you made a real difference to the way St James looks and works!" Said Revs Ali and Steve. We hold these events regularly, so if you are interested in helping us next time, please contact us! You will be very welcome!
