Dear AllThank you so much to everyone who was involved with our children’s Scarecrow Festival workshop on Wednesday 21st August. It was so obvious that lots of work had gone into making this event a success. The snail table was a roaring success and it was really odd to see my children’s socks repurposed in this way – each sock had a bit of a story!! (obviously not the black humdrum ones)😊The crafts available for the children to do were fun and varied from beaded caterpillars with googly eyes, sparkly dragonflies, creature badges, not to mention the very popular tin can aliens and as always the cake looked yummy and was well received. It was a fun morning with no rain so the aliens were able to be outside throughout.Robyn Richards came along to help us again (she was part of our team for the Easter Messy church and our Christmas services at St Botolph’s and St Mary’s and goes to St Botolph’s as she lives right next door! She is currently practising for the Shine Walk on 21stSeptember with her colleagues from St Elizabeth’s, when she will walk a marathon overnight (just over 26 miles) in aid of Cancer research. If you are able to support her – please use this link….https://fundraise.cancerresearchuk.org/page/robyns-giving-page-328This link will take you to the Cancer Research webpage and you will have to put in Robyn Richards name and then follow the instructions.Also, this weekend we have a couple of new things to support..As well as our normal 9.30 am service at St James, we will have our first Family service at St Botolph’s at 11.15 am and we will also have our first Community dog walk from the Queens Head at Allen’s Green. You do not have to have a dog to walk, just come and have some fun and meet a few new people.Please pray for these new ventures, that the weather will be fine as they are both outside events, and that people will come and enjoy themselves with us.Hoping I see you on Sunday at some point.Every blessingAlison
Dear AllI am aware that although we are in August, there is so much planning and preparation for this September.Many of us are working hard to get ready for the Scarecrow Festival – 7th/8th September, and we also have lots of other things happening in September.Our new Jim’s café will be starting in the Coffee Lounge on Monday 9th September at 4.00 pm – just for new Year 7 children.Jimmy’s Baby and Toddler group will be returning on Thursday 5th September.And this September we are going to be looking at the book of Romans in depth both in our Sunday services and also in our bible studies on Wednesdays (dates to follow next week).This Sunday we have our 9.30 am service at St James and we are very fortunate that Glyn Barker will be preaching for us again and of course, not to forget it is Derek’s bbq in the afternoon – 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm. This is shaping up to be a brilliant afternoon with good friends and new friends, of entertainment from John Sharples and also ‘The Racketeers’ and wonderful food with all the proceeds going to St James Outreach Fund, so I hope to see you at one or both of these.Every blessing on your week.Alison
Dear AllI attach the Welcome sheet and readings for this week.My hope is that you and your families have not been directly affected by the civil unrest we have witnessed on our TV screens and in our papers or on our phones. Nevertheless, it is something to be concerned for and to pray about.Please join me in saying this prayer:-Dear GodProtect all our citizens from violence and attacks of hatred.Protect our streets and communities from civil violence and unrest, damage and looting.Protect our police force as they deal with assailants.Help our communities to show the love for their neighbours that you call us to.Let love triumph over evil, bringing your healing calm by the power of your Holy Spirit into our midst.We ask this in the name of Jesus. AmenI am looking forward to seeing you this Sunday either at our 9.30 am service at St James, High Wych or our 11.15 am service at St Mary’s, Gilston – both of which are communion services.Please also pray for the baptism family who will be bringing their children for baptism at St James at 2.30 pm.Every blessingAlison
Dear all, It feels like the holidays have begun this week, with this warm weather and hearing children playing in the park.As many of you know I will be away this Sunday and because of the holidays we have cancelled August’s Family service.This does mean that the service that we normally have at 8.00 am at St James will be the only service offered this Sunday the 4th and it will be a service of the word (not BCP and not a communion service).Judith will be taking this with Janet and Rosemary doing readings and Intercessions.I hope you will find this service interesting and uplifting, and I do look forward to seeing you all again on the 11th at either St James at 9.30 am or St Mary’s, Gilston at 11.15 am.We will also be having a baptism for Reginald and Mabel at St James at 2.30 pm. To slightly paraphrase Ephesians reading (attached):-‘May you lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness. Enjoy your week. Every blessingAlison
