This weekend’s Bible readings:8.00: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 - 13 (p 1190) Luke 21:5 – 19 (p 1056)10.30: 2 Timothy 1:1-14 (p 1195)Special visitor this weekend:On Sunday, we welcome Jon Scamman from CPAS who will preside and preach at our 10.30am Communion service in All Saints. Jon is already known to members of our PCCs who met with him and the other patrons at the recent Vacancy meeting. Jon will be involved in the recruitment process for our new Rector, including the interviews. We do encourage as many as possible to come along to All Saints this week and listen to Jon speak, to pray for him and chat with him after the service.Vacancy Update:Our PCCs met last Wednesday. At their meetings they approved the Profile document which has been prepared by a team with input from all PCC members, one of our patrons, our Archdeacon and members of our church family. This is the document that will be available to prospective applicants for the job of Rector in our benefice. Do speak to Marion if you wish to know more about this.The PCCs also agreed that the following members would be our Parish Representatives who will be involved in the recruitment process, including the interviews:- Derek and Janet (St Catherine's)- Hugh and Ray (All Saints)- Angie and Michael (St Mary's)We expect to advertise in January with interviews taking place in March. Please pray for all those called to serve at this time that they may have strength and wisdom to discern God's plans for us. Please also pray for the person God is even now preparing to be our new Rector.Children’s and youth work update:A group of our church family have taken on the provision of outreach to our young people while we decide what to do about finding a youth worker. Jane, Derek, Margaret, Rob, Lizzy and Caroline, assisted by Lorraine and Emma, will cover the work at café and in Roger de Clare, and will lead the services on Christmas Eve. Please pray for them as they undertake this important work.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. Please note that Rebecca, our administrator, works flexible hours, but she will respond to emails as soon as she can.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:16th November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd November 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s30th November 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s6.00 pm Advent service, St Mary’s7th December 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints14th December 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’sPlease 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.The schedule of Christmas services will appear in next week’s notices sheet.Dates & meetings coming up:17th November, 12.30 pm Funeral of Walter King, St Mary’s26th November, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s29th November, 10.30 – 12.30 Coffee morning & sale, St Catherine’s1st, 2nd, 3rd December, 5.00 pm Roger de Clare Christmas concerts, St Mary’s6th December, 10 – 12 FOSM Christmas Fair, St Mary’s9th December, 5.30 pm Beavers in church, St Mary’s11th December, 7.00 pm Christmas Crackers concert, St Mary’s16th December, 5.30 pm Beavers in church, St Mary’s17th December, 6.30 pm Carols round the tree, Standon High Street18th December, 9.00 am Roger de Clare Christmas service, St Mary’s19th December, 1.15 pm Little Munden School Christmas service, All Saints
This weekend’s Bible reading:Romans 12:9-21 (p 1139)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 in St Mary’s at 3.00 pm. The concert is free, with a retiring collection. All are welcome.Remembrance Day service at St Catherine’s Tuesday 10.00 am:Sacombe’s weekly service will start a little later this week. Coffee will be available from 9.30 and the service will start a little after 10, and will incorporate an Act of Remembrance at 11.00. All are welcome.Special visitor next weekend:On Sunday 16th November, we welcome Jon Scamman from CPAS who will preside and preach at our 10.30am Communion service in All Saints. Jon is already known to members of our PCCs who met with him and the other patrons at the recent Vacancy meeting. Jon will be involved in the recruitment process for our new Rector, including the interviews. We do encourage as many as possible to come along to All Saints next week and listen to Jon speak, to pray for him and chat with him after the service.Knit & Natter group 13th November:If you like knitting or crocheting, come and join us in the Sargant room (at the back of Standon village hall) any time between 1pm and 3.30pm, usually on the 2nd Thursday of each month. Tea & cakes will be available. Our next meeting will be held on Thursday. For more information please contact Diane on 01920 821130 or Marion on 01920 745683.Operation Christmas Child boxes collection:The boxes will be collected from Lizzy next weekend.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. Please note that Rebecca, our administrator, works flexible hours, but she will respond to emails as soon as she can.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:9th November 10.30 am Remembrance service, St Mary’s11th November 10.00 am Remembrance service, St Catherine’s16th November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd November 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s30th November 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s6.00 pm Advent service, St Mary’s7th December 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints14th December 10.30 am Holy Communion, St Mary’sPlease 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:9th November, 3.00 pm Concert for Remembrance, St Mary’s12th November, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall12th November, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, All Saints14th November, 12.00 Funeral of Jean Aldridge, St Mary’s17th November, 12.30 pm Funeral of Walter King, St Mary’s26th November, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s29th November, 10.30 – 12.30 Coffee morning & sale, St Catherine’s1st, 2nd, 3rd December, 5.00 pm Roger de Clare Christmas concerts, St Mary’s6th December, 10 – 12 FOSM Christmas Fair, St Mary’s9th December, 5.30 pm Beavers in church, St Mary’s11th December, 7.00 pm Christmas Crackers concert, St Mary’s
This Sunday we welcome Rev Tim Weeks, who will preside at our 8.00 communion service in St Mary’s.This weekend’s Bible readings:Hebrews 12:18-24 (p 1211) Matthew 4:1-12 (p 967)Service of Memories, Sunday at 3: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.Remembrance services this year:There will only be one service on 9th November. However, we will be holding a special service at St Catherine’s on Tuesday 11th at 10.00 am 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.Caroline has volunteered to provide tea and cake; if you would like to help, please speak to her.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. Please note that Rebecca, our administrator, works flexible hours, but she will respond to emails as soon as she can.Across Britain:On Tuesday, Rev Tim Hall preached at Sacombe. He has drawn our attention to ‘Across Britain’. It says: ‘We are asking Christians to go for a walk – and as they walk to pray and re-dedicate the land to God – right Across Britain. Home by home, farm by farm, street by street, declaring this land is God’s land – seeking his blessing on the place we live in.’ More information is available from across-britain.org.uk.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:2nd November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints9th November 10.30 am Remembrance service, St Mary’s11th November 10.00 am Remembrance service, St Catherine’s16th November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd November 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s30th November 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’s6.00 pm Advent service, St Mary’s7th December 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All SaintsPlease 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:2nd November, 3.00 pm Service of memories, St Mary’s6th November, 2.00 pm Vacancy team meeting, The Old Top Shop8th November, 2.00 pm Remembrance colour party rehearsal, St Mary’s9th November, 3.00 pm Concert for Remembrance, St Mary’s12th November, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall12th November, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, All Saints14th November, 12.00 Funeral of Jean Aldridge, St Mary’s17th November, 12.30 pm Funeral of Walter King, St Mary’s26th November, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s29th November, 10.30 – 12.30 Coffee morning & sale, St Catherine’s1st, 2nd, 3rd December, 5.00 pm Roger de Clare Christmas concerts, St Mary’s6th December, 10 – 12 FOSM Christmas Fair, St Mary’s
This weekend’s Bible reading:2 Timothy 3:14-4:5 (p 1197)Choral evensong this evening:During this time of vacancy, it’s particularly important for us to meet together, to worship and to stay close to each other and God. Come and join us this Sunday for our regular service of Choral Evensong, an ancient and contemplative service of words and music.Vacancy update: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 by the end of this weekend to Marion Smith: marionsmith1456@gmail.com.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.Feel the Spirit Concert 1st November, 6.30 pm:Next Saturday, 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 of Lizzy’s involvement in the OCC shoebox appeal! She is now filling shoeboxes, ready to send to children in areas affected by war, natural disaster, or other catastrophe. They will be collected in 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).- Contribute gifts to be packed - small toys and games, little treats for teenage girls etc.- Donate money so that Lizzy can use it to buy things, or to pay for the travel costs.Thank you 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: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.Diocesan Vacancies:The Diocese is advertising a number of administrative jobs again. Details are available on the Diocesan website.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.Services for the next few weeks:Midweek services each week:Tuesdays, 9.30am Holy Communion (BCP) & Bible study, St Catherine’sWednesdays, 9.30 am Morning worship & Bible study, St Mary’sSunday services:6th October 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s6.00 pm Choral evensong, St Mary’s2nd November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Morning worship, All Saints9th November 10.30 am Remembrance service, St Mary’s16th November 8.00 am Holy Communion, St Mary’s10.30 am Holy Communion, All Saints23rd November 10.30 am All age worship, St Mary’s30th November 10.30 am Morning worship, St Catherine’sPlease 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:29th October, 5.00 pm Benefice Finance Committee meeting, The Old Top Shop1st November, 6.30 pm Feel the Spirit concert, St Mary’s2nd November, 3.00 pm Service of memories, St Mary’s9th November, 3.00 pm Concert for Remembrance, St Mary’s12th November, 2.15 pm Libury Hall service, Libury Hall12th November, 7.30 pm PCC meetings, All Saints14th November, 12.00 Funeral of Jean Aldridge, St Mary’s26th November, 12.30 pm Midweek Music, St Mary’s29th November, 10.30 am Coffee morning & sale, St Catherine’s
