This weekend, we welcome Rev Robert Riley-Braley, who will preside at our 8.00 service in St Mary’s. Our 10.30 service will be Public Worship with Communion by Extension, led by Caroline.
This weekend’s Bible readings:
2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (p 1197) Luke 18:1-8 (p 1052)
Vacancy update:
On Wednesday last week, we had an informative meeting with our PCCs and other leaders, our three patrons, the Area Dean Designate and Archdeacon Janet. The recruitment process for a new Rector was outlined and we spent some time considering the challenges and opportunities facing whoever God is preparing to join us.
A group have been working to prepare the profile which is the document prospective applicants will see to tell them more about our benefice and the Rector we are looking for. The profile will be completed and approved by mid November and we plan to advertise the post in early January.
In the meantime, if you would like to contribute to the process, please consider these two questions:
1) What do you value about the churches’ presence in this benefice?
2) What qualities would you look for in our new Rector?
Any responses you are happy to share should be sent as brief bullet points to Marion Smith, who is coordinating the group preparing the profile: [email protected]. Responses should be with her by Sunday 26th October at the latest.
Please speak to any of our wardens or to Michael Smith if you have any questions. Your prayers are most vital in this process. Thank you.
Contacts during the vacancy:
While we have no Rector, if you have any queries or concerns, please speak to any of our church wardens (it doesn’t matter of which church). If you know of someone who needs a visit, please liaise with Jacqui. We do have access to clergy who will help if needed, so please don’t be put off raising a concern.
Midweek Music Wednesday 22nd October:
On Wednesday 22nd October, we will be entertained by our local musicians, Hugh Legg, Rebecca Watts and Michael Smith with voice, harp and piano in an exciting programme of music from the world of film and musicals. Refreshments are served from 11.30am and the concert is at 12.30. Do come and bring a friend - and maybe a friend who hasn’t been before. Donations made are shared between our three benefice churches.
Feel the Spirit Concert 1st November, 6.30 pm:
On 1st November there will be a concert organised by Michael and involving our Benefice Choir and the Harmonaires Choir to celebrate John Rutter’s 80th birthday and Bob Chilcott’s 70th. There is no charge, but a retiring collection will go to Youth Music.
Service of Memories 2nd November:
This service will be held on 2nd November at 3.00 pm in St Mary’s. There will be an opportunity to remember loved ones, and to light a candle if you would like to do that. All are welcome, so please tell friends and neighbours.
Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Appeal:
This year marks 30 years since Lizzy was first involved in the OCC shoebox appeal! She is now filling the shoeboxes she has collected during the year, ready to send to children in areas affected by war, natural disaster, or some other catastrophe. The boxes will be collected around mid-November. There are three ways you can help:
- Fill a shoebox with gifts (ask Lizzy for the list of what's allowed and not allowed) and leave it in St Mary's or give it to Lizzy or Caroline.
- Contribute gifts to be packed - things Lizzy is always short of are small toys and games, little treats for teenage girls (eg hair accessories, eye shadow, keyrings) and small toys for toddlers.
- Donate money so that Lizzy can use it to buy things she is missing for boxes, or to pay for the travel costs. Cash can be given to Lizzy or Caroline, or you can transfer it to the Standon PCC bank account (details on our website, or from Caroline) with the reference "OCC".
Thank you in advance for your support - every box filled is another child who will know someone cares this Christmas.
The Real Advent Calendar:
Please preorder these from Marion asap if you would like one of these Fairtrade Advent calendars, which come with a little book of the Christmas Story. They are no longer stocked in supermarkets. She needs 18 orders to get a price of £5.50 each and the profits will go to the local Food Bank.
Remembrance services this year:
We haven’t been able to find cover for our Little Munden service this Remembrance Sunday, so there will only be one service on 9th November. However, we will be holding a special service at St Catherine’s on Tuesday 11th, with participation from the Little Munden School Choir. This service will include an Act of Remembrance by the war memorial at 11.00. As with all our services, all are welcome.
Concert for Remembrance 9th November, 3.00 pm in St Mary’s:
The Priory Singers will perform a concert of music and readings for Remembrance on Sunday 9th November in St Mary’s at 3.00 pm. The concert is free, with a retiring collection. All are welcome.
Services for the next few weeks:
Midweek services each week:
Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’s
Wednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’s
Sunday services:
19th October 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Public worship with Communion by extension, All Saints
26th October 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s
6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s
2nd November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints
9th November 10.30 am Remembrance service, St Mary’s
16th November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s
10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints
23rd November 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s
Please note there will be no service of Choral evensong on 23rd November, but our Advent service of music and readings will take place at 6.00 pm on 30th November in St Mary’s.
Dates & meetings coming up:
22nd October, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s
29th October, 5.00 pm Benefice Finance Committee meeting, The Old Top Shop
1st November, 6.30 pm Feel the Spirit concert, St Mary’s
2nd November, 3.00 pm Service of memories, St Mary’s
9th November, 3.00 pm Concert for Remembrance, St Mary’s
12th November, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall
12th November, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, All Saints
14th November, 12.00 Funeral of Jean Aldridge, St Mary’s