We were due to share a short newsletter with you to assure you that you will be in our thoughts and prayers over the Christmas season. The announcement that looks like we are now in Tier 4.I know this will affect many of us and our plans and hopes for Christmas and I ask that we all hold each other in our prayers over the coming days - especially those who will be unable to be with their families and loved ones.I hope that we will continue to show the care and support for each other and those around us over these days and to contact especially those who may be alone or vulnerable.There is a glimmer of light in that the Prime Minister stated public worship can continue
A good Advent … Events in DecemberWe continue to seek to enable our events to resume as far as possible (please be aware these may change – we will try to keep you informed!)Sunday Nov 29th Advent Sunday 10am Live streamed service from St Mary’s 4pm Live streamed Advent ‘Carol’ Service at St Mary’sMonday to Friday Noon Eucharist at St Mary’s (from Dec 3<sup>rd</sup>)Saturday Dec 5th 5pm Fratton Awards at St Mary’s presented by FBL and Stephen Morgan MP Sunday Dec 6th 8am BCP Eucharist at St Mary’s 9am Eucharist at St Faith’s 10am Streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s 4pm Eucharist at St Wilfrid’sDec 7th to 11th 5pm FBL host a streamed performance each day linked to Festival of LightsSunday Dec 13th 8am BCP Eucharist at St Mary’s 9am Eucharist at St Faith’s 10am Streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s 4pm Eucharist at St Wilfrid’s Friday Dec 18th To be arranged– the sharing of Comfort and Joy Vouchers with agencies Sunday Dec 20th 8am BCP Eucharist at St Mary’s 9am Eucharist at St Faith’s 10am Streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s 4pm Eucharist at St Wilfrid’s 6pm Streamed Lessons and Music for Christmas from St Mary’s Christmas Eve (no Noon service) 5pm Streamed Nativity from St Mary’s – led by young families Early evening Mass of the Night for Christmas at St Faith’s & St Wilfrid’s 11.30pm Live streamed Midnight Mass from St Mary’s Christmas Day 10am Streamed Mass for Christmas Day from St Mary’s Saturday Dec 26th Daily Noon Mass continues Sunday Dec 27th Only service – a 10am streamed Eucharist at St Mary’s
Worship after the 2nd LockdownStreamed ServicesSunday Eucharist 10amSaid Eucharist Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at NoonSaturday at noon is Advent Reflections with music, a reading and prayers by the clergy and a reflection by Fr Bruce.You can pick up live streams on our portseaparish.co.uk/live-services, our Youtube Channel (search for Portseaparish), or if you have a facebook account on the St Mary’s Facebook page at facebook.com/PortseaParish. There is a Daily Reflection available at portseaparish.co.uk/daily-reflections each day. The service sheet for Sundays is “Looking for Light – Sundy Advent in our Homes“.. The service sheet for the Daily Eucharist is available at “Looking for Light – Advent in our Homes“.Worship in ChurchUntil 3rd December: There will be no services nor public worship during the lockdown, but St Mary’s church will be open for private prayer from 9am to noon every day including weekends. If visiting St Mary’s please enter by the West Door (or if needed via the ramp at the side door). Please wear a face mask (unless you are in an exempt group), sanitise your hands and go straight to a seat and observe safe distancing from other people.From 3rd December: There will be public worship allowed in Church.Sunday 8am Book of Common Prayer Communion St Mary’s ChurchSunday 9am said Eucharist at St Faith’s Church Sunday 10am Eucharist with choir at St Mary’s ChurchMonday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at Noon said Eucharist at St Mary’s ChurchSunday 4pm said Eucharist at St Wilfrid’s ChurchFor those wishing to attend the service in Church, as guidance on safety reduces the number of seats available it will help our planning for each service if you could email vicar@portseaparish.co.uk to indicate you wish to attend, and observe instructions on social distancing and hygiene when you arrive. We request that all who attend public worship in our Churches wear a face covering unless they are in a group which is exempt from wearing them (see Government guidance or contact one of the Ministry team for details).
St Mary’s will be open for Private Prayer every day (including weekends) from 9am to noon – a place to be still, to light a candle and to be aware of Christ’s presence with us in our daily livesYou are invited to pause and pray with us at 9am and 6pm each day. Please note the evening time is part of a national call to prayer from the Archbishops for us all to pray for our communities and country.Resources for daily prayer can be found online at the Church of England website (https://www.churchofengland.org/prayer-and-worship/join-us-service-daily-prayer), or download the Daily Prayer app on to your phone . Or simply be still, light a candle and offer to God in prayer all that lies in your hearts and say the Lord’s Prayer.We will stream a celebration of the Eucharist – reflecting on Christ’s presence in our lives – at Noon Monday to Friday and a 10am service on Sunday. On Saturday we will stream Saturday Stillness with music, a reading and prayers by the clergy and a reflection by Fr Bruce.This Sunday (8th November) we will also stream an Act of Remembrance at 10.55am and again on November 11th.You can pick up live streams on our portseaparish.co.uk/live-services, our Youtube Channel (search for PortseaParish), or if you have a facebook account on the St Mary’s Facebook page at facebook.com/PortseaParish.
